Research rapture is an emotional state which can arise from the exhaustive study of a topic or period of history. It's a feeling of enthusiasm and exaltation which, when experienced by writers of historical novels, reveals itself in works which include every bit of minutiae uncovered by the author.
Jimmy Carter was accused of exhibiting signs of research rapture in a New York Times review of his first novel, The Hornet's Nest (BooksEnthsiast.com).
Wikipedians can also be susceptible to the condition.
