Parapsychology, the laboratory study of psychic phenomena, has had its history interwoven, with that of statistics. Many of the controversies in parapsychology have focused on statistical issues, and statistical models have played an integral role in the experimental work. Recently, parapsychologists have been using meta-analysis as a tool for synthesizing large bodies of work. This paper presents an overview of the use of statistics in parapsychology and offers a summary of the meta-analyses that have been conducted. It begins with some anecdotal information about the involvement of statistics and statisticians with the early history of parapsychology. Next, it is argued that most nonstatisticians do not appreciate the connection between power and "successful" replication of experimental effects. Returning to parapsychology, a particular experimental regime is examined by summarizing an extended debate over the interpretation of the results. A new set of experiments designed to resolve the debate is then reviewed. Finally, meta-analyses from several areas of parapsychology are summarized. It is concluded that the overall evidence indicates that there is an anomalous effect in need of an explanation.
The aim of Statistical Science is to present the full range of contemporary statistical thought at a technical level accessible to the broad community of practitioners, teachers, researchers, and students of statistics and probability. The journal publishes discussions of methodological and theoretical topics of current interest and importance, surveys of substantive research areas with promising statistical applications, comprehensive book reviews, discussions of classic articles from statistical literature, and interviews with distinguished statisticians and probabilists.
The purpose of the Institute of Mathematical Statistics (IMS) is to foster the development and dissemination of the theory and applications of statistics and probability. The Institute was formed at a meeting of interested persons on September 12, 1935, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, as a consequence of the feeling that the theory of statistics would be advanced by the formation of an organization of those persons especially interested in the mathematical aspects of the subject. The Annals of Statistics and The Annals of Probability (which supersede The Annals of Mathematical Statistics), Statistical Science, and The Annals of Applied Probability are the scientific journals of the Institute. These and The IMS Bulletin comprise the official journals of the Institute. The Institute has individual membership and organizational membership. Dues are paid annually and include a subscription to the newsletter of the organization, The IMS Bulletin. Members also receive priority pricing on all other IMS publications.
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Statistical Science
© 1991 Institute of Mathematical Statistics
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