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The Astrological Compatibility Research Results are RevealedResults for the Astro Compatibility Research Project highlighted on this website over the past several years have now been tallied. Regrettably, this effort did not replicate the findings of an earlier study conducted by statistics students at Lake Forest College in Illinois. But the activity did pave new ground in other ways. For the first time, we had many research volunteers from the astrological community signed on and actively participating in the data gathering process for a research activity designed to statistically test astrological assumptions. The research team is grateful for the high level of individual support this activity has received; this was a lot of work by many very committed people. Hopefully, there will be other opportunities to tap similar levels of enthusiasm and dedication in the future The Astro Compatibility Research Project sought to test the efficacy of software programs that use astrological methods to evaluate and score compatibility potential in couples. Most conspicuously, these programs are being used as search engines on astrologically-oriented matchmaking websites, but most are available for personal and/or professional use by astrologers as well. Unlike most astrology tests, the software considers multiple astrological factors and presented an opportunity to test this premise of astrology as opposed to testing isolated parts. What the researchers hoped to learn is whether these software programs would be able to statistically distinguish between extreme examples of failed and compatible marriages. In the definitions used by the research team, failed marriages ended in an ugly, bitter, acrimonious divorce with both partners convinced that the union was hopeless flawed. Compatible marriages lasted longer than eight years with both partners believing the marriage to be a solid, productive, loving relationship that meets their respective needs. A key condition for the compatible cases was that each of the marriage partners would be willing to make the same commitment again if they had it to do over. Although similar selection criteria were used by the Lake Forest College and this follow-up study, the test differed in significant ways. Most notably, the data collection methods used in the Lake Forest College study relied extensively on publicity and electronic marketing (e-mail) to encourage participation. In the follow-up study, it was the research assistant’s job to identify, qualify and submit birth data for cases that met the criteria described. In the Lake Forest College study, many of the cases provided were from the files of professional astrologers who were asked to help when the other professional groups failed to respond. However, in this follow-up study, an effort was made to control for this “confounding variable.” Specifically, research assistants were asked to submit only examples of couples who were not clients and for whom they had not seen birth charts in advance. At Lake Forest College, students tested two software programs and were surprised to find that both were able to statistically distinguish between examples of failed and compatible marriages. In this follow-up study, researchers tested 5 programs using 49 failed and 49 compatible marriages. In this study, none of the programs were able to distinguish between the failed and compatible marriages. Based on this finding, it’s possible to conclude that the outcome in the initial study most likely was the result of a “tainted” sample. Interestingly, in the follow-up study, while none of the programs tested classified the couples beyond chance, there was moderate agreement among them regarding which couples get high or low scores. This indicates that most of the programs probably are based on similar astrological principles. Simply, all of the programs tested base their evaluation scores on the premise that a preponderance of positive synastry aspects portends compatibility potential while a preponderance of stressful aspects can be relied upon to produce a totally different result. Ordinary astrologers have also honored this wisdom in principal, but many have generally resisted any attempt to assign quantitative values to astrological indicators. This segment of the astrological community will be neither surprised nor disappointed by the latest result. The study team is grateful to the software makers who allowed their products to be tested in this way. Needless to say, participating in this test was a risky proposition for them. Mindful of this, the researchers attempted to make the test as fair and objective as possible. From the start, the research team was aware of concerns that the test as designed placed the bar very high for the programs. The point was made that the individuals in failed marriages must have been reasonably compatible at some point or they would never have become couples in the first place. But the test was also done because the programs are out there and individuals are relying upon the information they generate. It’s reasonable to question the need for studies of this kind. However, whenever possible, testing what’s possible in astrology is the responsible thing to do. |
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