Archaic term with origins in the late 19th century to designate the scientific study of the "paranormal". Now largely superseded by the term "parapsychology".

a scientific inquiry into the facts and causes of mediumistic phenomena. Its first concern is to establish the occurrence of the claimed facts. If they are not due to fraud, observational error, the laws of chancel i.e., if they are found to occur, the next stage of the inquiry is to establish the reason of their occurrence, whether the known natural laws are sufficient to explain them or whether there is reason to suppose the action of unknown forces. See PSYCHICAL RESEARCH.

Research into "psychic phenomena" using strict scientific methods and criteria.