Documentation within the Institute of Paranormal Analytical Sciences follows a disciplined structure designed to preserve accuracy, context, and interpretive neutrality. These standards ensure that all recorded material contributes reliably to the Compendium and maintains the integrity of the field.
1. Accuracy and Fidelity
All documentation must reflect what was observed, recorded, or experienced without alteration. Language remains precise, descriptive, and free of embellishment.
2. Chronological Order
Entries follow the sequence in which events, environmental changes, and observations occurred. This prevents retroactive interpretation and maintains the integrity of the record.
3. Contextual Anchoring
Every observation is documented alongside its relevant context: historical, cultural, environmental, spatial, and experiential. No detail is recorded in isolation.
4. Environmental Conditions
Environmental factors — light, sound, temperature, weather, spatial layout, and environmental shifts — are documented clearly and without dramatization. These conditions form part of the evidentiary record.
5. Cultural and Historical Alignment
Documentation respects the cultural significance and historical trajectory of each site. Local narratives, regional patterns, and cultural frameworks are preserved without reinterpretation.
6. Non‑Speculative Language
Documentation avoids speculation, interpretation, or meaning‑making. The record captures what occurred, not what is believed to have occurred.
7. Distinction Between Observation and Interpretation
Observational notes and interpretive notes remain separate. Interpretation, when appropriate, is clearly labeled and grounded in established frameworks.
8. Ethical Neutrality
Documentation maintains respect for sites, communities, and individuals. No entry includes sensationalism, fear‑based framing, or exploitative language.
9. Photographic Integrity
Photographs are presented without filters, alterations, or enhancements. Captions identify location, angle, environmental conditions, and sequence.
10. Source Transparency
All external information — historical records, cultural references, environmental data — is cited or identified. Documentation remains transparent about what is firsthand and what is sourced.
11. Preservation of Original Conditions
Documentation does not introduce elements that alter the environment or influence outcomes. The site remains unchanged before, during, and after recording.
12. Integration Into the Compendium
All documentation is prepared for eventual classification within the Compendium. Entries must be complete, structured, and compatible with the discipline’s archival system.
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