Large-Scale Studies of Near-Death Experiences

Vince Migliore

Many reports of near-death experiences (NDEs) are based on small samples or personal
accounts. Dr. Jeffrey Long and Paul Perry have written a book based on a large number of cases.
Large samples have the advantage of providing statistical reliability. They allow investigators to
make more valid inferences about the entire body of information related to near-death
experiences.

Dr. Long is a leading authority on the NDE phenomenon, as he’s served on the board of the
International Association for Near-Death Studies (IANDS), and hosts one of the most popular
web sites on the Internet, the Near-Death Experience Research Foundation
(http://www.nderf.org).

Both the Near-Death Experience Research Foundation (NDERF) and IANDS

(http://www.iands.org) offer viewers a survey to record their experiences. Though the wording of
the two surveys is slightly different, much of the subject matter is the same. An earlier report on
NDEs based on somewhat older IANDS data is available at
http://www.scribd.com/doc/20727835/A-Measure-of-Heaven-Near-Death-Experiences. That
report includes over 700 cases. The book by Dr. Long and Mr. Perry includes over 600 cases.
The similarity of findings from the two databases is summarized in Table 1 below.

Table 1. Near-Death Experience included:

J. Long V. Migliore
Out-of-body experience 75.4 67.7
Light 64.6 64.5
Strong emotional tone 52.5 61.0
Knowledge 31.5 52.5
Unearthly beings 57.3 48.2
Boundary 31.0 23.5
Life review 22.2 21.6
Alternate space/time 33.9 N.A.
Heavenly realm 52.2 N.A.
Heightened senses 74.4 N.A.
Tunnel 33.8 N.A.
Decision to return 58.8 N.A.
Total 100.0% 100.0
(Base) (613) (769)

Dr. Long’s book, Evidence of the Afterlife: The Science of Near-Death Experiences, is well
written, concise and informative. Case studies help illustrate the main points. It is available at
leading bookstores, including Amazon ( http://www.amazon.com/Evidence-Afterlife-Science-
Near-Death-Experiences/dp/0061452556 ) and Barnes & Noble
(http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Evidence-of-the-Afterlife/Jeffrey-Long-
MD/e/9780061887734 ).