For kicks, I wrote up a protocol:
Materials Required:
87 5" x 6" color photographs processed at a shop approved by both parties. 29 each of the images Ship, Pyramids, Earth provided by the applicant.
6 sheets of 1-1/4" x 1-3/4" permanent white labels. Labels are printed for 29 each of the words Ship, Pyramids, Earth in black ink on three sheets, and the same in red ink on the other three sheets.
84 opaque envelopes large enough to hold a 5" x 6" photograph
28 rubber bands large enough to fit around the envelopes
28 small post-it notes
One standard six-sided die
One room with blank walls
One video camera
Two pens
Two pieces of paper
Clipboard
One chair
Two tables
One cardboard box or other device suitable to display examples of the three different photographs
Environment Stipulations:
1. Other than provided by JREF and Testers, no chemicals or devices that emit light or otherwise detect or reveal electromagnetic fields that would compromise the opacity of the envelopes may be possessed or used, unless approved by JREF.
2. To as much extent as possible, the test room shall be adequately lit, of a comfortable temperature, and free of distracting sounds and odors. Phones and other communication devices must remain off or on silent. Talking during the tests must be kept to a minimum and in quite tones. Cameras, other than the video camera used by the Testers, are not permitted. All persons attending the test should wear neutral colors with no distracting prints or images. No signs or banners are permitted during the test.
3. If any of the above listed are violated during a test trial, the person violating the rules may be required to leave the test room and the Applicant may be granted an additional break up to three minutes and restart the trial or choose to postpone the trial until the end of the set and start a new trial.
4. The walls of the test room shall not have any pictures, images, or distracting designs, unless approved by the Applicant.
5. All persons in the room during Test Preparation are not permitted to be present in the room during the test or to communicate in any way to any person present in the test room during the test.
6. If there is a setup or technological problem, or if for any reason the test must be halted due to extenuating circumstances, as determined by JREF, the test may be conducted up to two additional times.
Test Preparation:
1. The 87 photographs are produced and provided to the Testers.
2. JREF or Tester print labels for 29 each of the words “Ship”, “Pyramids”, “Earth” in black ink on three sheets, and the same in red ink on the other three sheets. Labels are provided to the Testers.
3. Tester writes on 28 post-it notes, numbers 1 to 27 and “TEST”.
4. Tester places 27 of each type of photograph into envelopes and seal the envelopes completely so that the photograph inside cannot be seen in any way. The photographs will be placed with the image facing the front of the envelope and the top of the image toward the top of the envelope. The envelopes will be kept separate so that there are three piles consisting of 27 envelopes that all contain the same image. Each Tester fulfilling these duties will fill/seal an envelope for each of the three types of photographs before proceeding to the next to ensure that there is no consistency in the manner in which all photographs of the same image are filled or sealed. The envelopes will have no markings of any kind.
5. Tester now has three piles of 27 envelopes. The envelopes in each pile contain photographs of the same image. These will be considered, from left to right, as piles A, B, and C. Test will compile 27 packets. Tester will pull down an envelope from each pile. Tester will roll a six-sided die. Tester will place the envelopes into a separate pile, bottom to top, based on the die roll as follows:
1) ABC
2) ACB
3) BAC
4) BCA
5) CAB
6) CBA
6. Tester takes the three envelopes as a packet, turns the packet 90 degrees to the right, and taps them on the table to move the contents of each envelope down. Tester places a rubber band around the packet, and places post-it note on the packet with the packer number (1-27). The envelopes will have no markings of any kind.
7. Tester compiles an additional packet, exactly as above, but does not seal the envelopes.
8. Tester holds each envelope up to at least the brightest light in the test room to ensure that the image of the photograph cannot be seen.
9. Tester places a rubber band around the three unsealed envelopes and places a post-it note on the packet labeled “TEST”.
10. Tester places the 27 packets, in order, on the storage table in the test room.
11. Tester places the TEST packet on the test table.
12. Tester places the labels printed in black ink on the test table.
13. Tester places the cardboard box or other device on the test table and tapes each of the three types of photographs up so that the Applicant will easily see them. Labels for each photograph will placed immediately above or below each photograph. Testers (and/or JREF) will verify that the labels match the photographs.
14. A chair will be placed at the test table for use by the Applicant.
15. A pen and piece of paper will be placed on the test table for use by the Applicant.
Test Verification:
1. Applicant will have up to 30 minutes to verify the test conditions.
2. Applicant will verify that the example photos and labels can be seen clearly and that the labels match the photographs.
3. Applicant will verify that the environment is suitable.
4. Applicant will verify that he can place a label on an envelope without difficulty. Applicant may use one of each label, or more if permitted by Testers or JREF.
5. Applicant will verify that he can demonstrate his ability according to the established protocol and standards in the current environment. Applicant may use the “TEST” packet to test his ability. The test packet consists of three envelopes containing each photo, exactly the same as every other packet that will be used in the test, except that the envelopes are not sealed so that the Applicant can verify that his abilities are working correctly.
6. If the Applicant cannot verify any of the above, JREF and Testers will, within reasonably ability and without altering the protocol, attempt to resolve any conflicts. Otherwise, the test may be considered a failure.
7. Both the Applicant and the Tester/JREF will verify that the conditions for the test are adequate.
Test Protocol:
1. JREF Staff will videotape all activity at the storage and test tables. The video will be time-stamped. The camera will be left running for the entirety of the test.
2. Tester will take a packet (in packet order) from the test table, remove the rubber band and post-it note, and place the packet on the test table. Tester will start a time clock for three minutes.
3. Applicant may use the paper provided for notes and may write on the envelope, but may not puncture the envelope in any way.
4. Applicant will have up to three minutes to identify and label the contents of one, and only one, envelope. Applicant will identify the contents of one envelope by placing a label on the envelope. Placing a label on an envelope constitutes a final decision.
5. If the Applicant has not placed a label on an envelope within the required time, it will be considered a “skip” and the packet will be placed on the storage at the end of the packet order be tried again. The Applicant may, at any time, choose to voluntarily skip a packet. The Applicant may only skip a maximum of nine packets (either voluntarily or involuntarily). If the Applicant has already skipped nine packets and the time expires on a packet, the test shall be considered a failure for the Applicant.
6. After the Applicant has placed a label on an envelope, the Tester will control the envelopes and the Applicant may not touch, write on, or place labels on the envelopes.
7. Tester will write the trial number (1-27) on all three envelopes.
8. Tester will record on paper the trial number and label applied by the Applicant.
9. Tester will open the envelope labeled by the Applicant. This will be done in front of the applicant.
10. Tester will select the red-ink label corresponding to the photo in the envelope and apply it to the envelope. This will be done in front of the applicant.
11. Tester will record on paper the label of the actual contents of the envelope and whether or not it matches the Applicant’s prediction. The Applicant will be told if this was recorded as a success or failure. The Tester may also state how many more failures are needed to fail the challenge.
12. Tester will open the other two envelopes in front of the applicant and place red-ink labels corresponding to their contents to demonstrate that the test is fair. Tester will move the packet to the storage table.
13. In the event that the Applicant fails a trial and it is revealed that the packet did not actually contain the three photos, the trial will be disregarded and done over.
14. Tester will repeat these procedures until all trials have been completed or the Applicant has conclusively failed.
15. If the Applicant has failed enough trials to be excluded from the terms of success, the test will end immediately.
16. Applicant may take up to 60 minutes of break time during the test. Applicant may take a break at any time. Tester will record break times and notify Applicant of amount of break time recorded and amount of break time available.
What Will Constitute a Successful Test:
Applicant must succeed in 18 of the 27 trials. If the Applicant fails on 10 trials, the test ends immediately.
Time required:
Maximum: 2.8 hours.
