Last time, I mentioned that if you have multiple experiments that you should decide on an order and then stick to that order.  So how do you decide on an order?  Let’s say this is your data

You might decide to order it by shape (squiggles, ovals, diamonds) and then by number (one, two, three).

Or maybe the other way around by number and then by shape.

 

 

Or maybe you decide to order it by color (red, green, purple) and then by shading (empty, solid, striped).  Or by shading then color.

Or by shape and then shading or by color then number.  You get the idea.

 

The point here is that there are lots of different ways to order your data.  None of them is wrong.  Picking an order might be easy because there is a convention that is used in your field.  Maybe you might pick one that makes sense to you.  Or pick one that highlights your findings the best.  Just remember that once you’ve picked an order, stick to it.  All your sections, tables, graphs, etc. should reflect the order you’ve picked.

P.S.  The cards are from a game called Set.  It’s a great game to improve your pattern-recognition skills.  For more information see Set Card Game.