By simply using price bars to discern patterns and using intra bar dynamics to gauge momentum. I use studies but have friends who do very well without them.
I use stops. I haven't done research papers since graduate school (long time ago). I trade for a living. Thank you for your input though, it is entertaining.
It takes a lot of experience watching charts before they make sense. Reading books, attending seminars or "playing" with simulations will not get you there. It is a common tendency of the novice to look for the flaw everywhere but within the novice.