GaryJJSpate (talk | contribs) Created page with "{{CategoryInfobox |name=Research Methods |scope=Methodologies, approaches and processes used to investigate, analyse and document claims, evidence and unexplained phenomena. |parent=The Vault Guidelines }} '''Research Methods''' is a category containing pages related to the methods, standards and practices used by The Vault when documenting, analysing and assessing cases. Research methods provide the framework used to examine claims, collect information, evaluate e..." |
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Latest revision as of 12:55, 5 August 2026
Research Methods is a category containing pages related to the methods, standards and practices used by The Vault when documenting, analysing and assessing cases.
Research methods provide the framework used to examine claims, collect information, evaluate evidence and present conclusions in a structured and transparent way.
The purpose of this category is to explain **how research is conducted**, rather than documenting individual cases or specific phenomena.
Purpose of research methods
Research methods help ensure that investigations are:
- Structured.
- Transparent.
- Repeatable where possible.
- Based on available evidence.
- Open to alternative explanations.
A reliable research process does not begin with a conclusion. It begins with a question and examines the available evidence.
Research principles
Research within The Vault follows several core principles:
Evidence-based investigation
Claims should be assessed using available evidence, including:
- Historical records.
- Witness accounts.
- Photographs.
- Video.
- Audio.
- Physical evidence.
- Environmental data.
- Investigation reports.
No single evidence type should automatically be considered conclusive.
Source evaluation
Sources should be examined for:
- Reliability.
- Accuracy.
- Provenance.
- Independence.
- Possible bias.
The existence of a source does not automatically guarantee the accuracy of its contents.
Alternative explanations
Research should consider possible explanations before accepting unusual interpretations.
These may include:
- Natural causes.
- Human activity.
- Misidentification.
- Technical errors.
- Environmental factors.
Considering alternatives strengthens an investigation.
Transparency
Research should clearly separate:
Observation
What was recorded, measured or reported.
Interpretation
What someone believes the evidence means.
This distinction is essential when documenting unexplained phenomena.
Research methods used within The Vault
Pages in this category may cover:
- Evidence assessment.
- Case investigation.
- Historical research.
- Field research.
- Source analysis.
- Scientific methodology.
- Documentation standards.
Related categories
Pages in category "Research Methods"
The following 13 pages are in this category, out of 13 total.
T
- TheVault:Audio Evidence
- TheVault:Case Assessment Process
- TheVault:Digital Evidence
- TheVault:Environmental Evidence
- TheVault:Historical Records
- TheVault:Investigation Reports
- TheVault:Photographic Evidence
- TheVault:Physical Evidence
- TheVault:Research Methodology
- TheVault:Scientific Method
- TheVault:Source Guidelines
- TheVault:Video Evidence
- TheVault:Witness Testimony