1 ILLUSTRATION OF RESEARCH RESULTS Tables A title ... - SAMK

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ILLUSTRATION OF RESEARCH RESULTS
Tables
A title is given to each column of the table and the measurement units are explained.
The title of the table is placed above the table. Readers have to understand the title of
the table without the surrounding text. There has to be a reference to every table in the
text. An example of a table is given below (Table 2).
Table 2. Number of participants in the women’s sports event by age group in 2004–
2006
2004 2005 2006
Age group Number % Number % Number %
0–19 536 32 527 30 489 29
20–64 784 48 917 53 902 54
65– 321 20 294 17 295 17
Total 1641 100 1738 100 1686 100
The layout of a table in a thesis may differ from the layout presented in Table 2. However,
use a consistent style of tables throughout your report (e.g. similar borders, typeface
etc.). This also applies to the figures. In the heading, you can also write “TABLE”
and “FIGURE” in uppercase letters. In this case, too, be consistent throughout your
report.
Graphic Presentations
The most frequently used graphic presentations are column, line, pie and scatter (XY)
charts. Column charts can be vertical, horizontal (bar chart), divided or grouped. Place
the text under the figure. No heading is needed in the figure.
Column charts can be used, if you want to illustrate absolute amounts and compare
them with each other, if the illustrated groups are independent of each other, or if they

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have no correlation in relation to time and different observations do not develop from
each other (Figure 1).
70
60
Weight loss [mg]
50
40
30
20
10
0
AISI
304
AISI
420
Duplok
27
SMO
654
Ralloy
SX 737
NiTi WC-Co WC-Ni
Weight loss [mg] 58,2 20,6 29,1 8,1 13,6 4,2 11,7 5,4
Materials
Figure 1. Cumulative cavitation weight loss of tested materials during the 24-hour test.
Testing procedure complies with the ASTM G32-85 standard, where applicable. Distilled
water (22°C) as a medium.
A line chart (Figure 2) can be used to describe the development of a phenomenon.
%
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Men
Women
Figure 2. The percentage of men and women in 1999–2005 (n=542)
The space between the figure and the heading may be smaller than in these instructions
(but use the same space throughout the document).
A chart or a pie chart can be used to illustrate the proportion of something out of a larger
whole. It is recommended that the maximum number of sectors is 8–10. It can be

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difficult to perceive small, 1–2% sectors in a black and white printout and therefore they
should be avoided. Sectors are added to the graph starting clockwise at 12 o’clock. The
sectors are added in the order of importance.
Photographs are presented in the same way as figures. Place the text under the photo
(e.g. Photograph 1). Number the photographs separately throughout the report. If the
photograph is not taken by the author of the thesis, its origin must be indicated and a
permission to publish it must be obtained from the photographer or the owner of the
photograph.
Photograph 1. Stone bridge across the Kokemäki river (photo taken by Ritva Annala).
Other ways to illustrate the results
For example, if interviews or diaries are used as research data, the results can be illustrated
by using direct quotes selected from the data. The quotes are written in italics
with line spacing one, indented with one tabulator.
Example:
The interviewee recalls having thought first that he would not be suitable for this kind
of task. However, he plucked up his courage, went to the job interview and was chosen
for the job. He took up a new challenging job and does not regret the choice he made.
Sure, it has been the best thing that ever happened to me in the working
life! It has surpassed my every expectation. There has not been a single
morning when I did not feel like leaving for work.

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This document is an almost direct extract from the former instructions for writing a thesis, and it is written by Hanna
Hyttinen, Paula Asikainen, Heli Mattila, Markku Salonen, Erja Turunen and Jaana Simula.