Testing Handbook

Pre-Test Preparation

Before beginning a test, there are several components of an effective test:

• Topic: Topics are the first step toward scientific research; test hosts must have a topic on an anomaly they want to research.

  • Topics need to be ethical and follow the Code of Ethics; however, you may request for an exemption by going to the #special-test-requests channel in the ScD Discord Server.

• Hypothesis: Hypotheses are assumption statements that define the cause-effect relationship between two or more variables.

• Methods: Methods are the design of tests and how the test host got the results that they got. 

• Results: Results are the final component of tests and either prove or disprove the hypothesis. 

Testing Procedure

There are several steps to a basic test:

1. Head to the Class-D Containment Zone or remain in Unit-1 and request for combative and Class-D (if Class-Ds are needed in the test) via the "Staff" channel on the radio.

   • Format: Requesting [#] of Class-D and [#] Combative Personnel for a [List of SCP(s) number] test.

   • The hierarchy for a combative escort goes: Base SD > MP > SRU > Mobile Task Forces with one requesting having to wait 5-10 minutes before going to the next spot.

   • The default ratio of Class-D to combative personnel is 2:1, meaning after every 2 Class-D, Scientific Staff require an additional combative operative.

2. After receiving the Class-D, the Security Department will brief before the test. Once finished, Scientific Staff must head to the containment zone of the tested SCP(s) alongside your escort(s) and Class-D(s).

3. When at the containment zone of the specific SCP, Scientific Staff must brief and inform their Class-D or sentient anomalies of their tasks.

   • Scientific Staff should be clear and have simple instructions. During the test, Scientific Staff are responsible for everything, including combative personnel.

   • It is required to refer to your Class-D as their assigned number above their head (such as D-323, D-212, etc) for ease of communication.

4. Once Scientific Staff are done with their experiment, they must fill out a research log with their results and findings. Also, your report requires a minimum of 2 pictures from the experiment. Once finished with the research log, it must be sent in the #test-submissions channel in the Scientific Department Discord server for further review by a Research Instructor+.

Research Projects

Research projects are long-term tasks that require multiple tests to complete; the project thread must be used to share information to other participants and to discuss test results. The following regulations must be followed at all times:

• Junior Researcher+ may start a research project;

• Research projects will use the project lead's testing clearance;

• Research project leads may choose for their project to be private or public;

  • Private projects are when only people the project lead invites may participate.

• Projects must be ethical unless an ethical waiver is in place; and

• If a project is left inactive for more than two weeks, it will be removed.

Interviews

Interviews are another form of research conducted by the Scientific Department intended to gather information on an anomaly or lore character's past, relationships with others, and/or any other useful topics. The following regulations must be followed at all times:

• Interviews within an anomaly's containment chamber require the combative unit responsible for the anomaly to be present during the interview;

  • Interviews with free-roaming anomalies do not require a combative escort.

• Interviews require department members to have the testing clearance for the anomaly they're interviewing; and

• Assistant Researcher+ may interview lore characters.

Collaborative Tests

Collaborative tests are when a maximum of three researchers, who equally work alongside each other, make a test report together. Collaborative tests give five extra research points and can count towards promotion requirements.

• Collaborative tests will use the highest ranking researcher's testing clearance;

• Collaborative tests must be ethical unless an ethical waiver is obtained;

• All members of the collaborative test must equally contribute to the test report; and

  • The sections must be highlighted in a separate color and mentioned on who did what.

• All members of the collaborative test will be rewarded research points for the report.

Mass Tests

Mass tests are tests that require significantly more Class-Ds than the department-wide limit allows. Collaborative tests give three extra research points and can count towards promotion requirements. These tests must be approved in the #special-test-requests channel and the following regulations must be followed:

• Only Senior Researcher+ may conduct mass tests;

• All mass tests must be approved by a Board of Research+;

• Mass tests must be ethical unless an ethical waiver is obtained; and

• Any Command rank does not require BoR+ approval for mass tests.

Termination Attempts

On hold until further notice.

Ethical Waivers

Ethical waivers are used for when department members want to conduct an unethical test; Waiver requests are submitted in the #special-test-requests channel and the following regulations must be followed:

• Research Students cannot request for ethical waivers; and

• Scientific Department members may request for any ethical waivers to any anomaly that they have access to.

Point Table (Advanced Reports)

S - 20 research points

A - 15 research points

B - 12 research points

C - 7 research points

D - 4 research points

F - 0 research points

Point Table (Advanced Reports w/ Custom Format)

S - 25 research points

A - 20 research points

B - 17 research points

C - 12 research points

D - 10 research points

F - 0 research points

Basic Test Reports

Basic test reports are the shortest submissions. The grading scale is only based on fail or pass; completing and passing a basic test report will give the member a maximum of three research points.

Advanced Test Reports

Advanced test reports are written in a Google Document format for more detailed information. These test reports can be based on the department's provided test/interview format document or a custom-made format document.