Writers' Resource

• Tables
• Figures

Tables

Tables should be used to summarize study results in a concise, well-organized way and should be able to stand independently without explanation in the text. To display quantitative information, use a table when exact values are important and a figure when the data show patterns or trends. Keep the number of sections or levels to a minimum so that the reader does not have to spend a lot of time trying to make sense of the table.

• http://www.expectedvalue.co.nz/inbrief/PresentingDataInTables.pdf: Brief description of how to construct a table
• http://www.unece.org/stats/gender/web/genstats/genstats-3.htm: How to present gender statistics
• Iverson CI (Ed) American Medical Association Manual of Style, 9th Edition. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins, 1998, pp 51-66: Section on constructing tables
• Council of Biology Editors Style Manual Committee. Scientific Style and Format: The CBE Manual for Authors, Editors, and Publishers, 6th Edition. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press 1994, pp 678-693: Section on constructing tables

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Figures

Figures include graphs, charts, photographs, and other types of illustrative material. They are an extremely useful tool for presenting data in an accurate, clear, concise, and effective manner. For specific requirements of the journal to which you wish to submit your manuscript, check Information for Authors.

• American Medical Association Manual of Style, 9th Edition. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins, 1998, pp 66-83.
• Brock MH. 1990. A researcher’s guide to scientific and medical illustration. New York: Springer-Verlag.
• Cleveland WS. 1985 The elements of graphing data. Monterey (CA): Wadsworth Advanced Books and Software.
• Cleveland WS. 1993. Visualizing data.  Murray Hill (NJ): AT&T Laboratories. Available from Hobart Pr, Summit NJ.
• Council of Biology Editors Style Manual Committee. Scientific Style and Format: The CBE Manual for Authors,Editors and Publishers, 6th Edition. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press 1994, pp 693-699
• Spilker B, Schoenfelder J. 1989. Presentation of clinical data. New York: Raven.
• Tufte ER. 1983. The visual display of quantitative information. Cheshire (CT): Graphics Press.
• Tufte ER. 1990 Envisioning information. Cheshire (CT): Graphics Press.
• Tufte ER. 1997. Visual Explanations: Images and Quantities, Evidence and Narrative. Cheshire (CT): Graphics Press.
• http://www.washington.edu/computing/training/560/zz-tufte.html#: Graphics and Web Design Based on Edward Tufte's Principles.
  

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