Effective Figures and Tables
8- 5
When to Use Tables
In general, use a table to
▪ Present large amounts of detailed quantitative information in a smaller space than would be required in the text.
▪ Demonstrate detailed item-to-item comparisons.
▪ Display many quantitative values simultaneously.
▪
Display individual data values precisely.
▪ Demonstrate complex relationships in data.
For example, the following table clearly presents a large amount of data and many comparisons between groups:
Table 4. Rad expression status relative to the clinicopathologic features of the cohort of invasive breast tumors studied
No. tumors (%)
Clinicopathologic feature
Total (n = 48)
Rad-negative (n = 34)
Rad-positive (n = 14)
P value a
Estrogen receptor status Positive
37 (77) 11 (23)
26 (54)
11 (23)
NS
Negative
8 (17)
3 (6)
Progesterone receptor status Positive
30 (63) 18 (37)
20 (42) 14 (29)
10 (21)
NS
Negative
4 (8)
Tumor size <2 cm 2
12 (25) 22 (46)
11 (23) 17 (36)
1 (2)
0.022
2 – 5 cm 2 >5 cm 2 Unknown
5 (11)
7 (15) 7 (15)
3 (6) 4 (9)
4 (9) 3 (6)
Nodal status Negative
18 (38)
15 (31)
3 (6) 1 (2)
0.016
1 – 2 nodes positive ≥3 nodes positive
9 (19)
8 (17) 6 (12) 5 (11)
14 (29)
8 (17)
Unknown
7 (15)
2 (4)
a NS, not significant. Modified from Tseng Y-H, Vicent D, Zhu J, et al. Regulation of growth and tumorigenicity of breast cancer cells by the low molecular weight GTPase Rad and Nm23. Cancer Res 61:2071 – 2079, 2001.
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