Writing and Publishing Scientific Articles
8-30
Common Table Problems and Proposed Solutions
Problem
The goal of this table is to allow readers to compare the effects of vitamin E supplementation between 3 strains of rats. Research shows that readers usually prefer to make comparisons horizontally rather than vertically. In this table, the between-strain comparisons must be made vertically. Thus, a new layout is needed.
Table 22. Effect of vitamin E supplementation on body weights of 3 rat strains*
Vitamin E, mol/kg diet
Strain
0.1
1.0
5.0
10.0
1 2
150.1 143.7 183.4
160.3 209.1 190.1
211.7 243.4 214.0
209.3 199.1
3 225.7 * Rats were fed the experimental diet for 6 weeks and were weighed at the end of the 6-week period. Values in table are mean body weights in grams.
Solution
The layout has been changed so that the between-group comparisons are made horizontally.
Table 22. Effect of vitamin E supplementation on body weights of 3 rat strains*
Vitamin E, mol/kg diet
Mean body weight, g
Strain 1
Strain 2
Strain 3
0.1 1.0 5.0
150.1 160.3 211.7 209.3
143.7 209.1 243.4 199.1
183.4 190.1 214.0
10.0 225.7 * Rats were fed the experimental diet for 6 weeks and were weighed at the end of the 6-week period.
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