Effective Figures and Tables
8- 27
If a table contains reference citation numbers, those references should be numbered as though they were cited in the text where the table is cited. For example, if reference 19 is the last new reference cited in the text before Table 1 is cited, then the first new reference in Table 1 would be reference 20. A table that is really a list — in other words, a table that has only 1 column — should generally be presented in text form, which requires less space. However, a list in table format might be appropriate if the goal is to highlight or emphasize the contents.
Model of a Good Table
Table 18. Frequency of types of mutations in 3 cell lines
No. mutations (%)
Mutation type
ABC cells
DEF cells
GHI cells
Base substitution G:C to T:A
29 (45) 24 (37)
32 (51) 11 (17)
18 (26) 20 (29) 12 (18)
G:C to A:T G:C to C:G
0 (0)
9 (14)
Single-base-pair deletion G:C
4 (6) 3 (5) 5 (8)
6 (10)
9 (13)
T:A
4 (6) 1 (2)
1 (1)
Other mutations*
8 (12)
Total 68 (100) * Includes deletions of 2 or more base pairs, insertions, and other complex mutations. 65 (100) 63 (100)
▪ The spanning column heading [“No. mutations (%)”] is used to avoid repeating the same information in each column heading. Indented row stubs (for example, “G:C to T:A” under “Base substitution”) eliminate the need for repetition of words in the row stubs. ▪ Numbers in columns are aligned on the decimal point (the numbers in parentheses are aligned on the left parenthesis; this is customary in a column containing numbers outside parentheses and numbers inside parentheses).
▪
The table has no unnecessary lines.
▪ The footnote symbol in the table has a matching footnote below the table.
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