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While many ufologists strive for legitimacy and some are respected scientists in other fields, ufology has never been fully embraced by the scientific community, for a number of reasons. Many Ufologists are amateurs, and however well intentioned, are unfamiliar with generally accepted standards for research.

Some ufologists consider the general attitude of mainstream academics as arrogant and dismissive, or bound to a rigid World view that disallows any evidence contrary to previously-held notions.

Ufologists embrace a wide spectrum of approaches, beliefs and attitudes, from those regarded by some as quacks or kooks (e.g. David Icke); to respected mainstream scientists like Carl Sagan, some of whom argue that UFO reports are as worthy of study as any topic, and deserve case-by-case analysis using the scientific method. Study of UFO sightings this way has yielded very interesting and important results, although generally about weather phenomena and human perception.

Most critics consider ufology a pseudoscience or protoscience.

Broadly, there are four schools of thought to explain UFO sightings:

• The self-explanatory Extraterrestrial hypothesis.
• The Psychosocial Hypothesis.
• Various occult, paranormal, supernatural or religiousReligion sometimes used interchangeably with faith, is commonly defined as belief concerning the supernatural, sacred, or divine, and the practices and institutions associated with such belief. Borobudur, a Buddhist stupa built between 750 and 850 Adriaen explanations, such as the "Bloody Virgin Mary hypothesis".
• The notion that UFO's are best explained as advanced, secret or experimental aircraft of decidely earthly origin.

For a list of major UFO sightings and related reports, see List of major UFO sightingsThis is a list of UFO sighting flaps and well-known individual sightings. Included are also cases of alleged alien sightings and abductions. Some cases are popularly known, and have become folklore. Others are more obscure, and known mainly to Ufologists

Ufological Groups or Individual

• Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the ParanormalThe Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal or CSICOP is an organization formed to encourage open minded, critical investigation of paranormal and pseudoscientific claims from a responsible, scientific point of view. It is a, or CSICOP
• Erich von DänikenErich von Daniken (born April 14, 1935 in Zofingen, Switzerland) is a controversial Swiss author who is best known for his theories about extraterrestrial influence on human culture since prehistoric times, known as paleocontact and ancient astronaut theo's theories, where he tries to combine what he considers historical proof of extraterrestrialExtraterrestrial as an adjective, refers to something that originates, occurs, or is located outside Earth or its atmosphere. As a noun, the term is used to refer to any life form which comes from outside Earth and its atmosphere. The term has been widely visits with a theory on extraterrestrial help in the evolution of humanity.
• Edward Condon
• J. Allen HynekJosef Allen Hynek ( 1910 1986), was a U. astronomer and ufologist; he served as scientific advisor to Project Blue Book 1952-1969. When Hynek was hired by Project Blue Book, he reportedly first suspected UFO reports were made by various kooks and cranks,
• UFO Norge , a Norwegian project dedicated to collect all material on observations and physical traces of UFO activity in NorwayThe Kingdom of Norway is a Nordic country west of Sweden on the Scandinavian Peninsula. It has a very elongated form and has an extensive coastline along the North Atlantic Ocean, where Norway's famous fjords are found. In addition to Sweden, it borders R.
• United States Air ForceThe United States Air Force USAF is the aviation branch of the United States armed forces. The mission of the USAF is "to defend the United States through the control and exploitation of air and space. Organization There are three components of the USAF: Project Blue Book
• Jacques Vallée