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Accession Number:
ADA284789
Title:
Experiment in Water Dowsing
Descriptive Note:
Master's thesis
Corporate Author:
AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
Report Date:
1994-09-01
Pagination or Media Count:
90.0
Abstract:
Dowsing is a folklore process used to locate an unknown, such as the best location for a water well, by the use of a hand-held device. The process is commonly know as water witching, divining, dowsing or radiesthesia. The practice continues despite the lack of a proven scientific basis. This research develops an experiment to test the claims of a dowser. Specific procedures are established and statistical theory is applied to determine if one man can identify which of five water lines has flowing water in it better than a chance operator could achieve. The statistical analysis uses Abraham Walds sequential analysis procedures for establishing when to accept a hypothesis in a binomial situation. The dowsers performance proved to be better than chance. Further research is recommended.
Distribution Statement:
APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE