The above design matrix layout is called:

Question

Options

• Arandom order
• Brun order
• Cstandard order
• Dnone of the above
• Eall of the above

• A
  2% (1)
• B
  2% (1)
• C
  89% (48)
• D
  2% (1)
• E
  6% (3)

Explanation

Standard order (also called Yates order) is the systematic arrangement of factor levels in a design matrix where runs follow a fixed, predictable pattern - typically cycling through low/high combinations in a structured sequence (e.g., in a 2ᵏ factorial, the first factor alternates every run, the second every two runs, and so on). This is the default layout produced when a design is first constructed, before any randomization is applied.

Run order (B) is wrong because that refers to the actual sequence in which experiments are physically conducted, which is often randomized and differs from the standard arrangement. Random order (A) is wrong because randomization is a deliberate step applied after the standard order is established, specifically to reduce bias from lurking time-related variables - the matrix shown preserves the original structured pattern.

Memory tip: Think "standard = straight from the textbook." Standard order is the clean, logical layout you'd see in any DOE reference - it's the starting point before you scramble the runs for actual execution. If you remember that run order = randomized execution and standard order = the original structured template, you won't mix them up.

No community discussion yet for this question.