Chapter 11: Preparing high quality tables and figures

Table of Contents

1. Aims and introduction
2. Example 1 - Table
3. Example 2 - Gel photograph
4. Example 3 - Gel photograph
5. Example 4 - Line graphs
6. Example 5 - Micrograph
7. Example 6 - Bar chart

Aims and introduction

Aim
The aim of this activity is to provide training in preparing high-quality figures and tables of your research data.

Before you attempt this activity
Please read Chapter 11 "Preparing tables and figures" in the associated textbook: Communication Skills for the Biosciences.

Introduction
When presenting your research findings it is extremely important that the data are presented in the correct format and in a way that will make your results meaningful and comprehensible to the reader. One way of improving your ability to prepare figures and tables is to look through published examples and review them critically to identify the strengths and weaknesses of each. This will not only give you a good idea of how to present your data accurately and clearly but also give you some indication of things to avoid!

To assist you this exercise contains some examples of tables and figures which are flawed. Study each table or figure and then answer the associated questions.