Data Organization

Level 1: Keep ALL of your projects in a single folder

• This makes it easier for you to back up your data
• It also prevents you from wasting time looking for project files. (Did I store them in my Documents folder? On my Desktop? In my Dropbox?)

Level 2: Within that single folder, you should have a single folder for every project you're working on

• Don't bother with a structure like MyStudies >> SampleStudy_cond1 and MyStudies >> SampleStudy_cond2
• Instead, create a hierarchical structure like this: MyStudies >> SampleStudy >> cond1, cond2 (see notes for Level 3!)
• You may also want to create an "archive" folder in which to store all inactive or completed projects

Level 3: Within individual project folders, you should have a single folder for every condition/manipulation/version you're running

• You're going to think that you'll only run one condition and not create a folder for study 1
• You're going to be wrong

Level 4: Within every condition/manipulation/version folder, you should have the following folders and files:

• Task
  • The task itself (a Matlab script, a Qualtrics QSF file, etc)
  • Resources (stimuli, images, etc)
• StudyDocs
  • Copy of consent/debrief forms
  • Copy of the study protocol
  • Copy of task instructions
  • A PowerPoint or Keynote presentation containing information about your trial structure
• RawData
  • Copies of all your raw, untouched data
  • No, seriously, don't touch it
• [optional] LongformData
  • Data processing scripts
  • Copies of raw data transformed into longform data
• CleanData
  • Data processing scripts
  • Copies of raw or longform data transformed into clean data
  • The structure of your data should NOT change from this point onwards!
• DataAnalysis
  • Data analysis scripts
  • Graphs, plots, and figures

There are certain types of sensitive documents that you will want to store on a personal Dropbox, and/or on your personal computer:

1. Presentations
2. Abstracts, posters, and slides
3. Manuscript drafts