writing workshop 4 handout

Tables and FiguresTables and Figures

Tables and FiguresTables and Figures

Tables: specific numbers, detailTables: specific numbers, detail

Figures: trends, detail less Figures: trends, detail less importantimportant

Stand aloneStand alone

Tables and FiguresTables and Figures

Avoid duplicating informationAvoid duplicating information

Tables and FiguresTables and Figures

Male Female

40 60

Tables and FiguresTables and Figures

Call out every table, figure in textCall out every table, figure in text

– Focal extrarenal extension, hemorrhage, Focal extrarenal extension, hemorrhage, and necrosis in the lesion were seen and necrosis in the lesion were seen only along the needle tract (Fig. 4).only along the needle tract (Fig. 4).

Include tables/figures for editingInclude tables/figures for editing

Publication vs. oral presentationPublication vs. oral presentation

TablesTables

Put just a few numbers in textPut just a few numbers in text

– The study included 40 rats and 50 The study included 40 rats and 50 mice.mice.

TablesTables

Understand journal’s style Understand journal’s style conventionsconventions

– Rules (horizontal/vertical)Rules (horizontal/vertical)– Numbering (Roman or Arabic)Numbering (Roman or Arabic)– Footnote symbolsFootnote symbols– CapitalizationCapitalization

TablesTables

Group data logicallyGroup data logically– CompareCompare– ContrastContrast

Parallel structureParallel structure– WordingWording– SymbolsSymbols

TablesTables

List all titles on single sheetList all titles on single sheet

Put each table on separate pagePut each table on separate page

Standard conditions, information Standard conditions, information in heading or footnotein heading or footnote

TablesTables

Animals Cost

Pigs $100 ea.

Dogs $50 ea.

Cats $40 ea.

Animals Cost ($/ea.)

Pigs 100

Dogs 50

Cats 40

TablesTables

Give only Give only consistent, consistent, significant significant figuresfigures

Item Amount

A 1.234

B 1.2345

C 1.234

D 1.23456

FiguresFigures

Decrease in BPDecrease in BPTime (h) Old Drug New

Drug

1 120/70 120/70

2 115/72 102/73

3 113/70 94/70

4 110/73 90/70

Decrease in BPDecrease in BP

FiguresFigures

Two types of figuresTwo types of figures

– GraphsGraphs

– Primary evidencePrimary evidence

GraphsGraphs

Numerical data made into graphsNumerical data made into graphs

Limit curves to 5Limit curves to 5

Article vs. oral presentationArticle vs. oral presentation

Primary EvidencePrimary Evidence

Photographs, micrographs, X-Photographs, micrographs, X-rays, gels, stainsrays, gels, stains

Expensive, especially colorExpensive, especially color

Micrographs difficult to reproduceMicrographs difficult to reproduce

Next WeekNext Week

ReferencesReferences

EthicsEthics– Duplicate publishingDuplicate publishing– Salami publishingSalami publishing– CopyrightCopyright– IRB/IACUCIRB/IACUC