As a founder of a Paranormal Group and an investigator, you hit on some key points. However, 90% of investigations are completely explainable. The shows you see sensationalize the Paranormal and make it sound like it is easy.. A 1 hour show can take them 2-8 weeks just to get what you see in that hour. A normal non televised group normally gets a call, a premlim if done with the clients before an investigation is even considered. HIstory of the home, history of the family, asking the clients to keep a journal for 2- weeks will all help aid in deciding whether to follow through with the investigation. My own group, once decided sends in a medium first to do a walk through. Making notes of hot spots or questionable areas so we know where to set up cameras. Once in, lights are turned out and it begins. On average a home owner will only allow us up to 8 hours, which reall is not much time to make a solid determination but you have to respect their wishes. Once all the data is collected, my team will each analyze every sound/video clip over and over. This can take up to a month since most groups have working joes as volunteers. We come together, discuss the findings if any and write a full report and make an appointment with the client to review it. I have condensed what all really happens. :) What I do resent it being compared to the Televised shows. Clients expect you to find things, whether it be paranormal or not because this is what they see on TV.