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Research Studies
The research discussion group is a place for astrologers to present
research results for immediate review by their peers. For the first time
in history astrology researchers will find it easy to replicate each
other's work using AstroDatabank data and AstroSignatures. The capacity to
replicate experiments is an essential component of scientific inquiry.
Astrologers around the world can now cooperate or compete to find the best
AstroSignature for any of the 660 behavioral traits in the AstroDatabank.
As the years go by, this research community will slowly develop an on-line
encyclopedia of astrological techniques that have proven reliability.
We will also republish with the author's permission some of the best
articles on astrology research. If you know of any that we should include,
please send the citation to
TMcCartney@AstroDatabank.com.
The Best Astrology Research Books
Astrology As Science: A Statistical Approach
by Mark Urban-Lurain
© 1981
ISBN 0-86690-042-X
Published by American Federation of Astrologers, Inc.
P.O. Box 22040
6535 South Rural Road
Tempe, AZ 85282
$16 plus $4 shipping in U.S
Copies can be obtained by calling AFA toll free at 888/301-7630 or
01-408-838-1751.
Their web site address is www.astrologers.com.
This is the most thorough, well-designed astrology research study I have
ever read. He also got the strongest results of any astrological study
that I have read. Standard research designs use t-tests to test one
astrological factor at a time. He used Discriminate Function Analysis in
statistical package to find 38 variables that taken together were able to
correctly classify 82.7% of alcoholics with a p value < 10-18.
He then took his model and was able to classify 72.2% of never been seen
charts as alcoholics with a p < 10-10. I understand he once
challenged a group of well-known astrologers to beat his computer model
and none were able to. By comparison, only 9.4% of his variables were
significant at the .05 level when taken one at a time. This booklet was
written for Mark's Masters Thesis in 1982. He is currently ISAR's research
director and available for consultations on statistics and research
methods.
Astrological Research Methods Volume 1: An ISAR Anthology
edited by Mark Pottenger
Published by ISAR
© 1995
ISBN 0-9646366-0-3
467 pages
US$29.95
Copies can ordered from ACS
5521 Ruffin Road
San Diego, CA 92123
(619) 492-9919
Mark Pottenger and ISAR are to be highly commended for assembling this
collection of articles from some of leading astrology researchers in the
world. Articles range from highly readable accounts of the trials and
tribulations of doing astrology research, to discussions of astronomical
effects that must be taken into account when designing astrology research
projects, to arcane formulas. There are few formulas in the book because
(thankfully) these days statistics are handled by software programs and
not computed by hand.
The "Mars Effect": A French Test of over 1000 Sports
Champions
by Claude Benski, Dominique Caudron, Yves Galfret, Jean-Paul Krivine,
Jean-Claude Pecker, Michael Rouze, Exry Schatzman and J.W. Nienhuys
for the French Committee for the Study of Paranormal Phenomena
©1996
ISBN 0-87975-988-7
Available from Amazon.com
A replication and repudiation of the Gauquelin work by the French
Committee for the Study of Paranormal Phenomena. Contains highly detailed
data and copies of correspondence with Michel. It is a testimony to the
weakness of the effect that the presence or absence of statistical
significance turns on the disagreement between Michel and the committee
over whether a few athletes are eminent enough to be included in the
study.
The Tenacious Mars Effect
by Suitbert Ertel & Ken Irving
©1996
ISBN 1-871989-15-9
International Orders:
The Urania Trust
Mailorder Books Department
Huan House
17 Rossiters Hill
FROME, Somerset, BA11 4AL
FAX: 00-44-1373-473-853
utg_editor@astronet.demon.co.uk
Price: £11 Sterling.
Payment by Eurocheque, Visa or MasterCard.
U.S. Orders:
Astrology Center of America
26 N. Fir
Ventura, CA 93001-2810
Tel: (805) 641-2157
Fax: (805) 641-2048
Toll-free order line: (800) 475-2272
Email: dave@astro.america.com
Price: US$21.95
All the latest material on Michel Gauquelin's Mars Effect, including
Suitbert Ertel's revision of the data, including skeptical data, to
confirm the existence of the Mars Effect, together with chronologies and
accounts of the Mars effect controversy to date.
It must be stated that even if one accepts the Gauquelin plus zone
results, they fly in the face of traditional astrological understanding of
the weakness of cadent houses and have no practical value for consulting
astrologers. The effect only works with eminent subjects and predicts
eminence only marginally by increasing the likelihood that a planet is
found in a plus zone from 17.8% to 22%. That leaves 78% of subjects with
Mars outside of the Gauquelin plus zone. Hardly something a consulting
astrologer could use.
The following books are out of print.
You might find them in the library of an older astrologer, by networking
at your local astrology organization or by calling one of the out-of-print
book search services:
Abracadabra Antiquarian Bookshop & Book Search International
800/545-2665 or 303/733-5700
FAX 303/871-0172
email: abrabks@abrabks.com
Harvard Book Search
800/563-1222
They don't charge for the search. Books may cost twice what they did when
they were in print, but much of the information is unique to each book.
Recent Advances in Natal Astrology: A critical review
1900-1976
Compiled by Geoffrey Dean
Copyright 1977
This book is tremendous compendium of research from BCE (Before the
Computer Era). It is filled with single factor research with disappointing
results. In retrospect, it is predictable that complex phenomena like
vocations is unlikely to yield to single factor research. That said, it is
still a volume well worth owning. It is extremely well written and is the
most comprehensive review of almost every aspect of astrological research.
Its treatment of the methodological problems on investigating different
aspects of astrology is still quite relevant today. Many areas are covered
in greater depth than in the ISAR anthology of Astrology Research Methods.
Written in the Stars
by Michel Gauquelin
ISBN 0-85030-615-9
A readable summary of the Gauquelin work and includes a short guide to
methods.
Astrology: Science or Superstition?
by Hans Eysenck & David Nias
ISBN 0-14-022397-5
An easy to read account of astrology research and surrounding issues. It
is less exhaustive than Dean's work, but covers all the best research. The
main point of the book seems to be that despite years of good faith work,
most of astrology research is either flawed in design or one-off results
that die on replication. Only the Gauquelin results are presented as a
possible proof of an astrological effect.
The AA Research Page
One of the aims of the Astrological Association is to enlarge and
integrate the knowledge of astrology.
CORRELATION - Journal of Research into
Astrology
Correlation is our Journal of Research into Astrology. It publishes
articles reporting empirical research into astrology, and those discussing
methodological, conceptual and philosophical issues related to astrology.
Produced biannually, it is one of the worlds premier journals for
investigating astrology in a scientific manner.
Members have the option to receive Correlation as part of their
subscription.
Postal Subscription to Correlation for non-members is available at the
following rates:
AA Members:
UK & Europe £11
Overseas £12
Non-members:
UK & Europe £13
Overseas £15
Europe & Overseas please pay in Sterling or add £6 equivalent to
cover exchange charges.
Cheques & Eurocheques (payable to: Correlation) should be sent to:
The Membership Secretary
The Astrological Association
Unit 168, Lee Valley Technopark
Tottenham Hale
London N17 9LN
phone +44 (0)181 880 4848 / fax 4849
Advice & Help in Carrying out Research
We encourage and try to facilitate the efforts of members to undertake
astrological research.
- Centre for Research in Astrology
was founded on 30 April 1994 under the umbrella of the 'German
Astrologers Association'. It is led by Dr Peter Niehenke who is a
member of CORA. They support students doing research for examination
papers or doctoral theses. At present they are building an English
language database of current and recent research.
Email: 100021.3116@compuserve.com
Publications Library: Many
publications are available in the library at the Astrology Study Centre,
396 Caledonian Road, London N1. This library houses the joint collections
of the Astrological Association of Great Britain, the Urania Trust and the
Astrological Lodge of London. It's archives include the largest collection
of astrology journals in the UK. Check first when the library will be
open. Tel: 0171 100 2773.
Astro-Research Journals: All these include research results,
methods and information.
- Correlation – Journal of Research into Astrology, accepts
articles reporting empirical research into astrology, and those
discussing methodological, conceptual and philosophical issues related
to astrology. Produced biannually, it is certainly the world's premier
journal for investigating astrology in a scientific manner.
- The Schneider-Gauquelin Research Journal: Astro-Psychological
Problems (APP) – Francoise Gauquelin's friendly English language
journal also has time change updates. 100FF for 2 issues (add 20% if
airmail is wanted) from 8 Rue Amyot, 75005 Paris, France. Payment by
International Postal Money Orders in French Francs.
- Kosmos – Quarterly publication of the International Society
for Astrological Research (ISAR). Annual membership: USA, $25 (+$9 for
first class mail); All other countries, $35 (+$12 for air mail). To
join ISAR, write to PO Box 38613, Los Angeles, CA 90038-0613, USA.
Payment can be made by credit card.
Speakers at the 1996 London International Research Conference Who Have
Contributed to or Written the Following Books:
- Astrological Research Methods Volume 1: An ISAR Anthology,
edited by Mark Pottenger. Organized in three major sections: The
nature of research; research design, data collection and analysis;
special topics and future studies. Includes contributions from leading
researchers worldwide. Cost: US$29.95 (+ $3.95 postage for
USA/Canada/Mexico, and $6.00 elsewhere). Copies can ordered from ACS,
5521 Ruffin Road, San Diego, CA 92123 (Tel: 1 619 492 9919). ISBN
0-9646366-0-3. Contributors include: Graham Douglas, Suitbert Ertel,
Francoise Gauquelin, Nick Kollerstrom, Theodor Landscheidt, Frank
McGillion, Mike O'Neill and Peter Roberts.
- The Book of World Horoscopes by Nick Campion (ncampion@caol.demon.co.uk). An award-winning reference book for timed countries
charts. £35. ISBN 1-898495-01-7. PO Box 1071 Bristol BS9 1HE United
Kingdom. Email: editor@astronet.demon.co.uk
- The Eureka Effect by Nick Kollerstrom & Mike O'Neill. A
look at the times of birth of scientists known for their eureka
experiences, as well as the timing of these moments, and showing the
connection with the quintiles and septiles of astrology. £8.95
(Available to AA members at £7.95 until 1st June 1996).
ISBN1-871989-03-05. editor@astronet.demon.co.uk
- Sun-Earth-Man by Theodor Landscheidt. Evidence that man's
activity and even creativity is linked to the Sun's activity – from
someone who is recognized internationally in the scientific world as
an expert on solar-terrestrial relations. £8.95. ISBN 1-871989-00-0. editor@astronet.demon.co.uk
- The Astrology of Time Twins by Peter Roberts & Helen
Greengrass. Explores in fascinating detail the topic of time twins,
and the 'Mirror Images' twinning project. It also discusses the status
of current research in astrology. £6.95. ISBN 1-85821-120-4.
- Astrology: The Evidence of Science by Percy Seymour. One of
Britain's leading astronomers advances the theory that the Earth's
magnetic field responds to the gravitational pull of the planets.
£7.99. ISBN 0-14-019226-3.
Other Links
Astrology-Research.net
http://www.astrology-research.net/
The Research Group for the Critical Study of Astrology (RGCSA) at
Southampton University maintains a database of astrology research
abstracts. They actually have Ph.D. students in astrology research.
We invite you to come visit our site, where you will find:
- a sample of educational tools in
AstroDatabank used to speed your learning of astrology,
- a list of the public people on the AstroDatabank
CD with a Rodden Rating of B or above,
- a list of over 800 attributes that we use
to classify people for research,
- a sample of research projects using
AstroDatabank, especially with the breakthrough research tool
AstroSignatures,
- a tour of the AstroDatabank product and
an online order form,
- a well-documented links page that includes
every astrology research web site we could find, and several other
sources for birth data on the web,
- our news: a listing of software reviews,
articles that have been written using AstroDatabank, and conferences
where we will be exhibiting AstroDatabank
- and (false modesty aside) a stunning collection of rave
reviews from some of the most famous names in astrology.
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