How to Prepare Tables and Figures in a Scientific Article?
Tables and figures help readers grasp data, relationships, and processes more efficiently. A well-designed visual is not merely attractive; it should be understandable on its own, reduce unnecessary repetition, and make the finding easier to read correctly.
Should You Use a Table or a Figure?
Choose the format that makes the information easiest to understand.
- Table: Best for exact numerical values, categories, comparisons, and detailed results.
- Figure: Best for trends, relationships, distributions, models, processes, and visual patterns.
Presenting the same information in both a table and a figure is usually unnecessary. Use the format that communicates the data most clearly.
How Should Tables Be Prepared?
A table should be as understandable as possible without requiring the reader to return to the main text. Its number, title, row and column labels, and notes should provide sufficient context.
1. Number Tables Sequentially
Number tables in the order in which they first appear: Table 1, Table 2, Table 3. Refer to each table by number in the text.
2. Write an Informative Title
The title should tell the reader what the table shows. Avoid vague titles such as “Results” or “Analyses.”
Weak: Table 2. Results
Better: Table 2. Regression Analysis of Digital Leadership and Digital Transformation
3. Remove Unnecessary Information
Include only information needed to understand the research question or finding. Very wide tables may be divided or moved to supplementary material.
4. Use Decimal Places Consistently
Use a consistent number of decimal places for comparable values. Excessive precision does not improve the result and may make the table harder to read.
5. Explain Abbreviations and Symbols
Abbreviations and symbols that are not universally familiar should be explained below the table.
Example: Note. SD = standard deviation; CI = confidence interval.
6. Show Statistical Significance Clearly
If stars or other symbols are used, define them below the table.
Example: *p < .05, **p < .01, ***p < .001.
Where suitable, actual p values may be preferable to symbols alone.
7. Avoid Excessive Formatting
Unnecessary vertical rules, heavy shading, multiple colours, and decorative formatting usually reduce rather than improve readability.
Should Table Values Be Repeated in the Text?
There is no need to reproduce every value from a table in the main text. Highlight the finding that matters and direct the reader to the table for detailed values.
What Counts as a Figure?
Graphs, diagrams, flowcharts, models, maps, photographs, illustrations, and similar visual materials may all be treated as figures.
How Should Figures Be Prepared?
1. Number Figures Sequentially
Number figures in the order in which they first appear and refer to each one explicitly in the main text.
2. Use an Informative Caption
The caption should explain what the visual shows. In SAER Journal, the figure number and title may be placed below the figure.
3. Check Readability
Axis labels, legends, data labels, and annotations should remain readable when the figure is placed on the article page. A figure that can only be read by zooming heavily may not be suitable for publication.
4. Label Axes and Units
State clearly what each axis represents and which units are used. Avoid scales that may give a misleading impression of the data.
5. Use Colour Functionally
Colour should help distinguish information, not serve as decoration. Where possible, the figure should remain interpretable in greyscale and for readers with different forms of colour vision.
6. Maintain Image Quality
Avoid blurry, low-resolution, screenshot-based, or pixelated figures. High-resolution source files may be requested during production after acceptance.
How Should You Choose a Graph Type?
- Bar chart: Comparisons between categories or groups
- Line chart: Change over time and trends
- Scatter plot: Relationship between two continuous variables
- Box plot: Distribution, median, and outliers
- Flow diagram: Processes, selection, or study flow
Three-dimensional charts and decorative effects should be avoided unless they serve a genuine scientific purpose.
Tables and Figures by Study Type
Qualitative Research
Tables may be used to summarise themes and subthemes, while figures may be useful for conceptual models, relationship maps, or processes. Visuals should not replace the analytic explanation in the text.
Systematic Reviews
Tables summarising included studies, risk-of-bias assessments, and study-selection flow diagrams are common. Where PRISMA is used, an appropriate PRISMA flow diagram may be included.
Meta-Analyses
Forest plots, funnel plots, and other relevant visualisations may be used according to the analysis plan. Effect measures, confidence intervals, and other statistical information should be defined clearly.
Tables or Figures Taken from Other Sources
If a table or figure is reproduced, adapted, or redrawn from another source, cite the original source appropriately.
Authors are responsible for obtaining any permission required to reuse copyrighted material. Modifying a visual does not remove the need to acknowledge its source.
Where Should Titles and Notes Appear?
In the general SAER layout:
- Table number and title: above the table
- Table notes: below the table
- Figure: at the relevant location
- Figure number and title: below the figure
A recognised disciplinary standard may be used instead, provided the format is applied consistently throughout the manuscript.
Where Should Tables and Figures Be Placed?
For initial submission, placing tables and figures close to their first citation in the main text is recommended. This makes review easier by reducing the need to switch repeatedly between text and separate files.
How Should Sources Be Cited?
Original tables and figures created from the authors' own research data generally do not require a separate source citation.
For material reproduced or adapted from another source, cite the source according to the referencing style used in the manuscript.
Common Mistakes
- Presenting the same data as both a table and a graph
- Repeating every table value in the text
- Failing to cite a table or figure in the main text
- Using vague titles
- Leaving abbreviations unexplained
- Using excessive decimal places
- Including low-resolution figures
- Omitting axis labels or units
- Using decorative charts with no scientific purpose
- Reusing visual material without citing the source
- Overloading tables and figures with information
Before Submission, Check the Following
- Are all tables and figures numbered sequentially?
- Is each table and figure cited in the text?
- Can the title or caption be understood on its own?
- Are abbreviations and symbols explained?
- Has unnecessary information been removed?
- Are decimal places consistent?
- Are figures clear and readable?
- Are axes and units labelled?
- Are reproduced or adapted materials cited?
- Have any required permissions been obtained?
