Research Grant Available for Studying Homicide Investigation Techniques

Grant money available to graduate students studying effects of non-traditional cognition in homicide investigations

OpenSourceScience.net, a non-profit research organization, has announced a new research grant for studying the use of psychic detectives in homicide investigations. According to research coordinator, Dr. Joni Johnston, the study is much needed:

“It happens all the time… law enforcement professional are faced with the prospect of using ‘psychic detectives’ in homicide investigations. This is often initiated by relatives of the victim who’ve seen such cases on television and want the same results in their case. Given the controversial nature of psychic abilities, it’s understandable that research has lagged behind what’s going on in the field, but it’s also clear that we have to take a closer look at what’s going on and determine when and if it’s effective. We hope this study will illustrate how rigorous and credible research can be conducted on a topic that, despite its controversial nature, is gaining acceptance among many homicide investigators, and holds great interest to the public they serve.”

The research grant of $2,000 is intended for students with a masters or doctoral degree in criminal justice, criminology, or a related social science field. Candidates with experience working with police organizations, or other applied settings preferred. Interested individuals are encouraged to contact Dr. Johnston at: joni@opensourcescience.net.

About OpenSourceScience
OpenSourceScience.net is the first scientifically oriented website to bring the power of open source methods to the skeptical examination of controversial areas of science such as telepathy, psi, parapsychology, near-death experiences, reincarnation, and after-life encounters.

Retailers Encouraged To Develop An eCommerce Sales Strategy

That is according to Magico.ie, a leading Irish ecommerce firm, which claims that web sales in Ireland are now exceeding EUR12 million a day.

Mr. Paul McGurran, Director of ecommerce, Magico.ie, commented, ‘Although traditional high-street retail activity is suffering a downturn, Internet sales in Ireland are likely to smash all previous records this year as more and more drop the high street for the super information highway.’

He continued, ‘For example, according to Realex Payments peak online sale in Ireland reached EUR12.7 million on Dec 4th 2007 last year declining to EUR7.3 million in subsequent days during the Christmas period. In 2008 average daily Web sales in Ireland are now exceeding EUR12 million per day’.

Mr. McGurran pointed to recent research in the UK showing that Internet sales will continue to grow and the web channel will claim more than half of the retail market pie by 2026.

‘This increase in online retail activity is being stimulated by numerous factors including greater broadband penetration across Ireland, and time-poor and price conscious consumers. Furthermore, the rising price of fuel is the main reason behind consumers’ inclination towards web shopping, with users spending an average of 1.6 hours each week buying on the Internet‘, added Mr. McGurran.

Retailers wishing to develop an ecommerce Strategy are being invited to attend an ecommerce Seminar from 7-9pm at The Morgan Hotel, Templebar, Dublin on October 15th 2008.

The themes being covered in the Magico.ie seminar include Innovative Email Marketing, How to Grow Web-to-Store Footfall, Holistic Online Payment Strategy, Online Marketing & Search Engine Optimisation and Online Shop/ePos Integration.

‘The eCommerce Seminar is aimed at anyone involved in selling products, including business-to-consumer or business-to-business. Professional speakers with direct online retailing experience will demonstrate how to turn Internet visitors into Buyers’, stated Mr. McGurran.

He pointed out that companies that had expanded their business into the online market were also experiencing an increased footfall on their premises.

Mr. McGurran stated, ‘Both sides of the business benefit each other because a lot of people browse at home and come in to buy and other people go to the stores and then buy on the Internet. However, many Irish retailers have yet to realise this and are unknowingly denying themselves profits’.

For more information on the upcoming seminar see http://www.magico.ie/seminar.

Magico.ie was established in 1999 and currently employs 13 people at its headquarters in Ennis, County Clare. Its current client base includes Fujipix.ie, The Bag Shop, Smyths Toys, Irish Auctioneers & Valuers Institute, Evergreen Healthfood, Munster Rugby Supporters Club, Freshways Sandwiches, Sisk Builders and Fitzpatrick Design Hotels.

The Magico.ie team consists of industry experts who have worked on large Irish and overseas ICT projects with partners such as IBM, Microsoft, Tesco.com, Ireland Online, Bank of Ireland Asset Management, and many more.

In 2005, the ecommerce, online sales and marketing firm received the ‘Best Web Design and Development Agency Award’ at the prestigious eircom.net Golden Spider Awards, the Oscars of Ireland’s Internet industry. Since this success, the company has been shortlisted for a Golden Spider award every year, as well as being shortlisted in the Web Development Company of the Year category at the ICT Excellence Awards.