TABLE CHECKLIST

AND FIGURES
Tiglao, Elton D.
 Table Checklist
- Helps ensure that data in your
table are effectively presented and
conform to the style rules.
■ Is the table necessary?
■ Does it belong in the print version of the article, or can it o in an online supplemental file?
■ Are all comparable tables in the manuscript consistent in presentation?
■ Is the title brief but explanatory?
■ Does every column have a column head?
■ Are all abbreviations explained, as well as use of italics, parentheses, italics, dashes, boldface, and
special symbols?
■ Are the notes in the following order: general note, specific note, probability note?
■ Are all vertical rules eliminated?
■ Are confidence intervals reported for all major estimates? Is the confidence level stated, and is the
same level of confidence used for all tables and throughout the paper?
■ If statistical significance testing is used. Are all probability level values correctly identified? Are asterisks
attached to the appropriate table entries only when needed? When used, is a probability level assigned
the same number of asterisks in all tables in the same paper?
■ If all or part of a copyrighted table is reproduced or adapted, do the table notes give full credit to the
copyright owner? Have you received written permission for reuse from copyright holder and sent a copy
of that written permission to the journal editor with the final version of your paper?
■ Is the table referred to in text?
 Is the table necessary?
We have found out in our research that
Siberian Huskies are smarter than
Daschunds, and Terriers.
 Must be integral to the text, but can
stand alone.
 In canonical form Is supported by
 Do not repeat text from the research
 Does it belong in the print version
or online supplemental file?
 Print version – tables of primary importance that support your
paper.
 Supplemental file – extra information, additional references, raw
data, other computational details, etc.
 Is the title brief, but explanatory?

 Must be italicized
 Enough detail for a clear and explanatory title

Are all comparable tables

consistent
 Formats, Abbreviations, terminology, and probability level values
must be consistent across tables.
 Do not repeat the same data in different tables
 Does every column have a column
head?
 Column head
identifies
entries in the
vertical
columns.
 Use column
spanners if
necessary.
 Are all abbreviations explained, as well
as special use of italics, parentheses,
and special symbols?
 Important abbreviations must be explained in the body, or by
using a general note.
 Standard abbreviations such as %, or no., can be used without
explanation.

Example”
Hit and False Alarm (FA) Proportions in Experiment 2 (TITLE)
Note. EWCB = extreme weight control behaviors.
 Are the notes in the following order:
general note, specific note, probability
note?
General Note Adapted from “Book ABC”, by John Appleseed.
Specific Note 3Control variables included age, race, and education.
Probability Note *p < .10
 Are vertical rules eliminated?

 Use lines only that are

necessary for clarity.
 Use of white spaces
makes it more
readable than lines
 Are confidence intervals reported for all major
point estimates?

 Use same level of confidence intervals, for example 95%

throughout the paper

If statistical significance is used, are all

probability level values correctly identified?
 Use asterisks to assign probability levels (Probability Note)
 Do table notes give full credit to the copyright
owner? Have you received written permission for
reuse from the copyright holder?
 Require permission to reproduce data displays from
another author.
 Is the table referred to in text?

 Tables are integral to the text.

 Explain what the reader should look for when using the table.
 Tables help what information is to be delivered to the reader.

Example:
e.g. As shown in Table 2, the ..... OR (see Table 2). Tell the
reader what to look for, but only mention the major points
of the table.
 Figures
■ A figure is any type of illustration other than a table.
■ Use figures to complement information in text or to simplify
text.
■ Used when it provides more information than using Tables.
Considerations when using tables
■ It must substantively add to the understanding of the paper
■ Is the figure the best way to communicate the information?
■ Degree to which the figure can be produced in a way that
captures essential information
Example of effectively using figures

Figure 1. Transmission of two bits at the same time

using QPSK Digital Modulation.
Online Supplemental Archives
■ It is recommended to add figures in online archives that
would support the research paper.
■ Materials not displayed in print format, such as video
■ These materials must be understood on their own
Types of Figures
■ Graphs
■ Charts
■ Maps
■ Drawings
■ Photographs

Graph - % of Adult Patients

*There may be variations and distinctions are not clear

*Manipulated information must be disclosed to the reader
Types of Figures
■ Graphs
■ Charts
■ Maps
■ Drawings
■ Photographs

Chart
*There may be variations and distinctions are not clear
*Manipulated information must be disclosed to the reader
Types of Figures
■ Graphs
■ Charts
■ Maps
■ Drawings
■ Photographs

Map
*There may be variations and distinctions are not clear
*Manipulated information must be disclosed to the reader
Types of Figures
■ Graphs
■ Charts
■ Maps
■ Drawings
■ Photographs

Photographs
*There may be variations and distinctions are not clear
*Manipulated information must be disclosed to the reader
Effecively using Figures

■ Illustrate
complex
theoretical
formulations
Effecively using Figures

■ Represent a theory
graphically through a
set path of models
Effecively using Figures

■ Show the flow of

participants in a
survey study
Effecively using Figures

■ Define an
experimental
procedure