Conducting an Experiment

Table of Contents

Section I > Introduction

ScD is one of the important departments within the Foundation, given its main duty of testing and researching anomalies. In a perfect world, research can be done easily and flawlessly. Sometimes it can be hard or challenging. That's why we exist—we can handle anything. Use this guide to help you on your ScD adventures!

Section II > Testing Incidents

In an experiment within Paragon Research Institute, it is almost impossible for something not to go wrong, so you need to know how to handle it. While testing, you might encounter the following potential problems: breaches, raids, combative mistakes, and the most common, Class-D non-compliance. Before you start testing, you must know how to handle all of these.


Class-D Non-Compliance 

In the event of Class-D noncompliance, a researcher is suggested to communicate with combatives to possibly replace the Class-D if the individual has started to become non-compliant. If not possible, tell the combative to start enforcing the three strike system. If for whatever reason a combative does not enforce the three-strike system, you may report them for neglecting duties. (Only the escorter) During the test, understand that all tests that result in a Class-D being incurable by the SCP effect must be terminated. It is recommended that researchers request for the Class-D to be terminated and wait for a new Class-D to be retrieved. If, however, the termination of Class-D means a failed test, the researcher is to conclude the test and proceed accordingly. 


Riot 

In the event of a Class-D riot, researchers are to follow the instructions of Security/Mobile Task Force Personnel. You are expected to maintain a calm and collected composure during this period and to alert your escorting SD/MTF if they are unaware that such an event has occurred. 


Breach

If a breach occurs, you may continue your test as long as it's in another sub-level. If it is in your sub-level, immediately go to the breach shelter and wait. If however a breach occurred as a direct result of your test, then you are to immediately leave the containment zone and proceed to Sublevel-4. If possible, you are to bring your Class-D with you, but your top priority should be yourself, remember that Eta-9 has maximum authority during breaches and you should follow all their instructions. Sometimes, the Breach Shelter or the Blast Door can be closed by combatives, so staying at the ScD balcony is a second alternative way of keeping yourself safe from dangerous anomalies. It is important to NOT announce on the radio that a breach has occurred to not cause any unnecessary panic. 


Note

If a test results in a breach and/or no test results are harvested, the report does not have to be logged.

Section III > Combative Escorts

Any test or interview that you perform must have a combative escort, even if the test does not involve the use of Class-D. If the test does involve the use of Class-D however, any researcher should know that the ratio for Class-D to SD is 3:1. That means that for every three Class-D, there should be one SD; for example, if you have 5 Class-D, then you would request 2 SD.


Regarding requests for tests within the CRs, there is a hierarchy regarding who can act as a combative escort. This hierarchy goes as follows: 

Base SD > MP > SRU > Lambda-7 with the one requesting having to wait 5-10 minutes before going to the next spot.


Clarification

Combative sub-divisions and/or task forces do not have to respond if they're already conducting another department duty. 


Notice

The CDC must be confirmed as stable and staffed (you may verify this by asking on the radio) for requests to be accepted and responded to.

Section IV > The Testing Process

Develop a Test Question 

All tests you perform will require a test question, a statement that provides a question for your test to answer and/or solve. Without a test question, there would be no reason to conduct a test, as how can you learn anything if you don’t know what you’re looking to learn? Test questions should be creative while still being reasonable and feasible. An example of a test question is as follows: “Does SCP-131 take a liking towards higher-ranked Personnel in comparison to lower-ranked Personnel?”. 

While you are thinking of a test question, you should make sure that the test question is ethical by checking the CoE. If you want to conduct an unethical test, you can do so by going to #special-test-requests and requesting an ethical waiver, you will then wait for a member of SRO (Scientific Review Office) to accept or deny that waiver.

If you want to conduct a termination attempt, you can do so by going to the same channel, #special-test-requests and requesting a termination attempt, you will need the approval of the incumbent Research Director and the AA Director.

You may also request for MISC waivers and Mass test in #special-test-requests, more details in there.

Sometimes, the anomalies may require approval, specialized procedures, strict handling, and etc. You may check the AIM in that case. The document also includes which combative group is the anomaly under, spectation regulations, testing regulation, etc. The AIM is only meant as an extension to the CoE and does not supersede it.


Develop a Hypothesis 

A hypothesis is a prediction as to what will happen during your test. Your hypothesis should answer your test question while also providing a reason as to why you believe your prediction to be what will happen. Put more simply, you shouldn’t just guess what will happen, you need to provide a reason for your prediction otherwise it’s just an uneducated guess. 


Requesting Anomaly Actor and Eta-9

 If your test is requiring an Anomaly Actor (Testing on a sentient SCP) then you will need to go into the Joint Departmental Communications, click #event-request, and fill out in the correct format a request for an Anomaly Actor. If your test will be done in the MCZ/HCZ then you will need Eta-9. Requesting Eta-9 is similar to requesting Anomaly Actor so in the Joint Departmental Communication, you want to go to #event-request and fill out in the correct format a request for Eta-9. If you need both then ping both in the same request.


Should you wish to host a Termination Attempt, you must request for the appropriate personnel a minimum of 6 hours in advance. Should you wish to host a test with an Ethical Waiver, you must request for the appropriate personnel a minimum of 2 hours in advance.


Requesting Class-Ds & Combatives 

Once you have prepared your test question and hypothesis, you should log on to Paragon Research Institute and, when ready, request via the “Requests” radio channel for the appropriate number of Class-D and SD. Make sure to be efficient with how many Class-D and SD you use as having more than you need wastes valuable foundation resources and personnel.


Use the following format to request CDs and SD:


Requesting the SCP from the loading bay

If your test requires the SCP from the loading bay, you are required to request via the “Requests” radio channel to have the SD prepared before the test starts. It is advised to request it before requesting the CD. In the information of the request, you should inform the SD which SCP you want from the loading bay and where you want it.


Use the following format to request LB SCPs:


Containment Checkpoint 

Once you reach the containment checkpoint, you should get into a single file line in the order: Host>Class-D>Spectators, with the host being at the front and the spectators being at the back. Depending on what containment zone you are testing in, you will be briefed by either Eta-9 or Military Police. During this time, you are to follow all orders given by the respective Military Police / Eta-9 member.


Test Reports

After you conclude your test, you are required to submit a test report, this can be an advanced or basic report. Basic reports do not require any documentation and can be submitted in a single Discord message. Advanced reports require you to make a document, but you will receive more Research Points for this type of report. More information on test reports can be found in the pinned message of #test-submissions and the Grading Rubric. 


Advanced Reports require at least 2 photos for a grade to be given.

For information on the three Tiers of Test Reports, please go here.


Discovery Submissions

The discovery program aims to incentivize more creative and interesting tests, researchers can earn extra points from making discoveries during their tests. The amount of points can vary per the importance of the discovery, for example finding the origin of a SCP would be deemed more important than finding how fast 173 can move.


More information on #discovery-submission can be found on the Discord server.


Clean Rooms Procedures


The Cleanroom has numerous regulations put in place to ensure the security of the area at all times. The Military Police, Scientific Department personnel, and spectators are to follow these rules at all times unless otherwise specified by an Overseer. Members of the Military Police hold authority over Foundation Personnel, including the scientific personnel in the Cleanrooms, having authority to postpone/cancel tests & orders when necessary and authorized. The only personnel that do not follow Clean Room regulations are the following:

Note: Security Class 4 Personnel may enter the Cleanrooms without an escort, but must have proper reason to do so.


If orders seem unreasonable, Scientific Department personnel may challenge said orders from the Military Police/Base SD. Military Police personnel may only cancel tests when they have a clear reason for doing so. (i.e: Test host goes rogue)


Non-command personnel within the Scientific Department may not enter the Cleanrooms outside of testing or spectating events. High Command personnel may enter the Cleanrooms outside of these events but must have a proper reason. 


Military Police personnel are authorized to dismiss themselves from tests in the situation they must respond to a rogue, a hostage, or under the orders of Military Police Command. Should the Security Department escort be able to utilize the containment controls, then Military Police personnel may dismiss themselves for any reason. In the scenario that Military Police personnel are unable to properly brief/escort a test within the Cleanrooms, Security Department personnel ranking Security Junior or above may brief in place of Military Police personnel. This should only be done if Military Police personnel fail to respond to a test within three minutes of escorts being requested on the radio. Scientific Department personnel may notify Military Police via Discord of their test if they are absent. Scientific Department personnel may ping Military Police only once per test.


Medium Containment Zone Procedures


The Medium Containment Zone houses all biohazard SCP and personnel who wish to test must possess heightened restrictions in comparison to the Cleanrooms. Members of the Mobile Task Force govern the MCZ and final authority rests within MTF. Both MTF and ScD are required to follow all rules listed below unless exempted by an Overseer.


Personnel of both the Mobile Task Forces and Scientific Department reserve the prerogative to contact their respective High Command for any misconduct within the Medium Containment Zone.


Members of the Mobile Task Forces hold authority over the Scientific Department personnel and other spectators whilst within the Medium Containment Zone. Mobile Task Force personnel may cancel a test for any reason. 


Members of the Scientific Department reserve the right to request for Protocol “Possible Breach” to be activated when conducting a test that has the possibility of breaching containment.


Non-command personnel will be prohibited from entering the Medium Containment Zone outside of testing or spectating events. High Command may enter the MCZ, however, must have valid reasoning and must have a combative escort.


Members of the MTF will have full authority of all doors entering the inner containment chamber at all times during this event and are not to be used by any member of the Scientific Department Any control panels that control the SCP's containment features inside the cell are allowed to be used by the Scientific personnel.


Heavy Containment Zone Procedures


Briefing the Class D 

Before continuing the test, you must brief Class D about the task that they’re about to take. To start, have your Class D face against the wall or fire door (divider if done in the Clean Room). Instruct them on what to do on the test and promise the rewards given if they comply after the test. If Class D decides to not follow your instruction, tell the combative to find another Class D who’s willing to cooperate.


Conducting the Test 


After you brief your Class-D, instruct them to enter the inner containment chamber. If it's in the Clean Room, instruct Class D to walk through the airlock. Once inside the airlock, close the first door that leads to the exit and open the second door that leads to the containment cells Remember to ask your Class-D some general questions as you test such as “How do you feel?” And “Have your vitals decreased?” To make sure they are in a stable state. If a Class-D has trouble remembering the brief, it is highly encouraged that you inform them of the next action they should perform. It is also heavily recommended that you take notes and pictures during your test to make writing your research report as easy as possible. 

Section V > Rewarding Class-Ds

After the test is completed it is required to reward the participating Class-Ds through the Terminal on-site.

At the terminal run the following command:

reward <Class-D> "Test Participation" <Rating from 1 to 10>

 If you are rewarding multiple Class Ds remember to put a comma between the names of the Class Ds.

The rating will give 50 credits at 1 and 500 at 10. Which is 50 credits per number.

This documentation was created and approved by Central Command.