1. Plotting and Tabulating Data and Results Hal Whitehead BIOL4062/5062

2. Plotting and Tabulating Data and Results Figures versus Tables –in presentations –in written work Formatting Tables Formatting Graphs Taxonomy of Graphs

3. Figures versus Tables??

4. In Presentations (Powerpoint, slides or overheads): Generally use figures Use tables when: –Numbers are important –Fewer than ~10 numbers (minimum digits)

5. Tables in Presentations: Number of Limbs Birds4 Mammals4 Spiders8 Insects6

6. Tables in Presentations:

8. In Written Papers (Journal papers, Reports, Theses): Use tables when: –exact numbers are important –others may use results for meta-analysis –no trend or contrast to be emphasized (e.g. field sites with sample sizes) –pre-analysis data set –multivariate data (figure would have 3 or more dimensions) –very few numbers –several different data types

9. In Written Papers (Journal papers, Reports, Theses): Use figures when: –Trend (or lack of trend) to be emphasized –Contrast (or lack of contrast) to be emphasized –Many, many numbers

10. Do not usually present the same data as both Tables and Figures

11. Tables Use minimum significant digits (especially for powerpoint/slides/overheads)

12. Tables Usually no vertical rules

13. Tables: Eliminate large areas of empty space?

14. Tables Do not change column headings part way down

15. Tables Full explanation: –Written: Yes (in title, footnotes, etc.) –Presentation: No

16. Figures independent variable, what was selected dependent variable, what was measured

17. Figures Count data 000 Or:

18. Figures: Space around pattern highlights its integrity

19. Figures: Pseudo 3-D

20. (Real) 3-D displays

21. Colour

22. ColourColour Beware: Rainbow~=Horsehoe

23. Logging axes can help

24. Other Figure Issues Graph needs indication of precision Not too complicated (< 5 lines plotted together) Brief descriptions (written) Thick lines

25. Simplified taxonomy of graphs:

26. One continuous variable BoxDensity Probability Quantile

27. Two continuous variables GraphScatter plot

28. Many continuous variables (1) Multiple graph Multiple graphs Multiple scatter plots3-D graph

29. Many continuous variables (2) Colour Contour

30. One categorical variable BarPie

31. Two or more categorical variables: Tables N Atlantic Pacific S Ocean Total G.g1001 G.m.0044 H.a.9009 H.p0022 M.c.0516 M.l.004545 P.m.76720 Z.c.123116 Total291460103 Boston Age 50 60 70 Alive398943 Dead193330 Glamorgan Age 50 60 70 Alive458028 Dead262913 Tokyo Age 50 60 70 Alive1288913 Dead2331 6 + multiple pies,...

32. One categorical and one continuous BarBoxCategory

33. Multiple categorical and continuous

34. Summary Presentations –Usually use Figure rather than Table –Keep it very simple Papers –Decide whether to use Table or Figure –Experiment with different displays –Explain clearly –Measure of confidence or precision Posters –Complexity: intermediate between papers/presentations General –No pseudo 3-D! –Use 3-D and colour sparingly and carefully