A-manual-for-writers-of-research-papers-theses-and-dissertations

sometimes used interchangeably with figures) or graphics.When you have data that could be conveyed in a table or figure, your first task is to choosethe most effective of these formats; some kinds of data are better represented in a table, somein a chart, others in a graph. Your choice will affect how your readers respond to your data.These are rhetorical issues, discussed in chapter 8. This chapter focuses on how to constructthe particular form you choose, looking specifically at tables and at two types of figures—charts and graphs.Most tables, charts, and graphs are now generated with software. You cannot, however,rely on software to select the most effective format or to generate such items in the correctstyle, nor will software assure logical or formal consistency. Expect to change some defaultsettings before generating tables, charts, and graphs and to fine-tune these items once they areproduced. For information about inserting tables and all types of figures into your paper,especially if they are not created in your word processor, see A.3.1 in the appendix.If you are writing a thesis or dissertation that includes tables and figures, your departmentor university may have specific format requirements, which are usually available from theoffice of theses and dissertations. If you are writing a class paper, your instructor may also askyou to prepare tables and figures in a certain way. Review these requirements before youprepare your paper. They take precedence over the guidelines suggested here. For style guidesin various disciplines, see the bibliography.26.1 General IssuesThere are several issues common to the presentation of tables and figures in papers.26.1.1 Position in the TextA table or figure should follow as closely as possible the paragraph in which you first mentionit. If the table or figure does not fit on the rest of the page but is smaller than a full page,continue the text to complete the page and place the table or figure at the top of the next page.(See A.3.1 for information about inserting tables and figures into your paper, and figs. A.12and A.13 for examples of tables and figures as they should appear on a page.)You may group smaller tables or figures on a page, as long as they are clearly distinct fromone another. Grouped tables generally retain their own titles (see 26.2.2). If grouped figuresare closely related, give them a single number and a general caption; otherwise use separatenumbers and captions (see 26.3.2).If a table or figure is marginally relevant or too large to put in the text, put it in an appendixor a section labeled Illustrations in the back matter of your paper (see A.2.3).26.1.2 SizeWhenever you can, format tables and figures to fit on one page in normal, or portrait,orientation. If they do not fit, try shortening long column heads or abbreviating repeatedwww.itpub.net