Tables and figures are used to present specific details and trends in data. They should stand alone with clear titles, labels, and callouts in the text. When creating tables and figures, avoid duplicating data, group items logically, and follow journal style conventions for formatting, numbering, and captions. Primary evidence such as photographs and graphs show direct evidence but may have reproduction issues.
Abbreviations already defined in text should be define again in notes Production costs are high; use judiciously
Text, table, or figure—not all three
Present date in one form only: text, table, or figure
Don’t need “See” Everything needs to be edited consistently Misnumbering can occur as tables/figures added/deleted Don’t use publication table/figure in oral presentation
Vertical rules almost never used Avoid rules around all cells (Word default)
Help to identify redundancies and inconsistencies Harper tables in handouts
$ and “ea.” moved to columnar head
Difficult to compare Creates false sense of precision Don’t add zeroes to fill in
Relationships easier to see in figure Legends are important symbols different parts of figure Type title/legends on separate page (all on one page) Art separated from text for typesetting/production