The Occupation Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Jobs, Vocations, and Careers (Writers Helping Writers Series Book 7) by Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglisi

Author:Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglisi [Ackerman, Angela]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, mobi
Publisher: JADD Publishing
Published: 2020-07-13T05:00:00+00:00

OVERVIEW

A human test subject is paid to participate in scientific experiments. If they’re involved in a clinical trial, they might take specific drugs, vaccines, or supplements, or use a certain medical device to see what the effects are. Alternatively, they may offer biological contributions of blood, saliva, sperm, urine, skin cells, dandruff, etc., to be studied. They also could be part of a social science experiment to analyze behavior. In this situation, they would be asked specific questions, perform cognitive tasks, or be exposed to conditions that would alter their physical, mental, and emotional state. In any of these studies, the participant could be part of the test group or the control group, and usually do not know which. Other (safer) gigs would have the subject filling out surveys, participating in panel discussions for market research, testing products, or even participating in mock trials.

Depending on the criteria, test subjects may be chosen for specific reasons, say because they have a specific type of cancer, suffered frontal lobe damage after an accident, or they experience a phenomenon like synesthesia. They may be asked to adhere to a type of exercise, sleep, or dietary routines and abstain from taking any medication, supplements, or mood enhancers for the duration of the trial.

A character wishing to be a test subject would have to provide consent to be part of the study. They exchange money for their participation. Legitimate studies are regulated to prevent unethical experimentation.

NECESSARY TRAINING

No training is necessary, but the character must fit the parameters of the study. If the group is not randomly selected, the character might need to be within a specific height and weight range, be in good overall health, abstain from alcohol, and often be free of drugs and supplements (even over the counter ones) for a month before the trial begins.

USEFUL SKILLS, TALENTS, OR ABILITIES

Charm, exceptional memory, good listening skills, high pain tolerance, multitasking, stamina

HELPFUL CHARACTER TRAITS

Adaptable, adventurous, apathetic, calm, cooperative, curious, disciplined, easygoing, focused, honest, impulsive, obedient, observant, patient, simple, socially aware, uninhibited

SOURCES OF FRICTION

Being asked to do things within the trial that are uncomfortable, painful, or embarrassing

Becoming bored by repetitive duties or long hours performing tasks and answering questions

Being in a test group with annoying or uncooperative people

Experiencing symptoms that may or may not be normal (a sudden loss of libido, headaches, craving certain things, having to urinate frequently, etc.)

Feeling manipulated by researchers

Suffering a side effect that requires medical care

Suffering from minor side effects that must be endured for the length of the study (nausea, headaches, twitchy extremities, difficulty sleeping, etc.)

Missing work due to side effects and not being compensated for it

Experiencing side effects that last long after the study is finished

Regretting the decision to participate but having to see it through

Arguments with family members who disagree with the character’s decision

Completing a trial and feeling like the compensation wasn’t worth the risk

Breaking the rules of the trial—drinking alcohol, eating at a certain time of day, etc.—and being disqualified from continuing

Boredom arising from being sequestered for days

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