Writing and Publishing Scientific Articles
4-14
Checking the Consistency and Accuracy of Numbers and Percentages in Figures and Tables
Before submitting your article, be sure to double-check all numbers and percentages for accuracy, and make sure that the data match in all parts of the article (Abstract, Results, Discussion, tables, and figures).
In addition, always refer to the author instructions of the journal for guidelines on preparing and submitting figures and tables.
Use of “Data Not Shown”
It is not always necessary or advisable to show all your data. In the text of the Results section, authors sometimes use the phrase “data not shown” in parenthes es instead of giving the actual data. This phrase shows readers that the absence of data was not an oversight on your part. Use this technique sparingly. If you use “data not shown,” limit its use to: ▪ Findings for which the exact numbers themselves are unimportant (for example, data showing a lack of effect on the study population), ▪ Findings similar to other findings for which supporting data are presented, and
▪ Results of routine assays, such as Lineweaver-Burk plots.
Here is an example:
In the tumor-bearing nude mice, virus titers were significantly higher in the brain than in the bone marrow, spleen, liver, testes, or ovaries (Table 1). Patterns of infectivity were the same in the non – tumor- bearing nude mice (data not shown). Be sure not to confuse “data not shown” with “unpublished results.” The phrase “unpublished results” is used when you refer to a finding from another study (by either your own group or another group) that has not yet been published. The phrase “unpublished results” is almost never used in Results sections.
Highlighting Important Findings
Perhaps you would like the reader to know which results you think are most important. One strategy for highlighting important findings is to insert a summary statement before or after the detailed listing of results.
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