Rationale and Considerations for Proposed Near-Death Research in the Hospital Setting Page: 19

                                
Rationale and Considerations for
Proposed Near-Death Research
in the Hospital Setting
Janice Miner Holden, Ed.D.
University of North Texas
ABSTRACT: Further research into the question of veridical perception during
the "naturalistic" near-death out-of-body experience (nND OBE), that phase of
the near-death experience in which the experiencer seems to be perceiving a
normal earthly realm, would be of value to NDErs, their caregivers, and
humanity in general. I propose a research procedure that targets visual percep-
tion during nND OBEs that occur in the hospital setting. I discuss unresolved
issues in the design and implementation of such a procedure, and identify
areas for further research.
A fascinating chapter in the history of parapsychological research
began to unfold in the mid-1960s. Several years after the mysterious
disappearance-and presumed death-of a frugal, reclusive miner of
the Southwestern U.S., his will was found. In it, he left an estimated
$174,000 to "research or some scientific proof of a soul of the human
body which leaves at death" (Fuller, 1969, pp. 20-21, 23). After a
lengthy court battle, including an appeal, the money was awarded to
the American Society for Psychical Research and was subsequently
shared with the Psychical Research Foundation. Thus was funding
provided for some of the most important research on out-of-body experi-
ences (Rogo, 1986, pp. 13-14, 46ff).
Dr. Holden is currently Assistant Professor of Counselor Education at the University
of North Texas. This paper was derived in part from her Ed.D. dissertation submitted to
the Northern Illinois University Graduate School. Requests for reprints should be
addressed to Dr. Holden at the Department of Counselor Education, College of Educa-
tion, University of North Texas, P.O. Box 13857, Denton, TX 76203.
Journal of Near-Death Studies, 7(1) Fall 1988
1988 Human Sciences Press                                     19