Organizing Data: Tables and Schemes in Scientific Analysis

1. Part I, Chapter 4 Data Tables and Drawing Schemes

2. Organizing Data Standard Sequence of the Science Process 1. Hypothesis 2. Experimental Design 3. Measurements 4. Analysis 5. Hypothesis validated? Tables are the starting point for all scientific analyses. Build your tables at the stage of “experimental design”! Tables are essential to qualitative and quantitative analysis. Data, Data, Data, Data…. http://www.norcalblogs.com/watts/images/data_grill.gif

3. Organizing Principle of Tables The legitimate data of a scientific paper are the unadjusted, spontaneous results obtained by following a defined procedure. -- Entry # / Absorption{2-dimensional table} -- Reaction # / Yield / Purity {3-dimensional table} -- Wavelength / Absorption {2-dimensional table} A legitimate experimental variable must have been obtained by following a defined procedure and others must be able to reproduce the data. The ordering parameter employed for listing the experimental variable can be am experimental variable or it can be merely a “count parameter” (i.e., Entry #, Reaction #, ….). The natural order of the numbers is the obvious choice (Wavelength, Reaction Time, Wavenumber, Percent Reaction, …).

4. General Comments on Tables Tables have a “Table Header” (a.k.a. “Legend” or “Title”). The Legend starts with “Table X:” and it is completed by a sentence in “Title Format” Tables must be referred to in the main text. Usually a brief summary of the Table is provided when the table is referred to in the text. Tables must be self-contained. Tables should be understood without reference to the text. -- provide “units” of variables and of data -- use table footnotes to explain units etc. -- refer to “Guidelines to Authors” about formatting requirements

5. General Comments on Tables Tables have a “Table Header” (a.k.a. “Legend” or “Title”). The Legend starts with “Table X:” and it is completed by a sentence in “Title Format” Tables must be referred to in the main text. Usually a brief summary of the Table is provided when the table is referred to in the text. Tables must be self-contained. Tables should be understood without reference to the text. -- provide “units” of variables and of data -- use table footnotes to explain units etc. -- refer to “Guidelines to Authors” about formatting requirements

6. JOC Setting the Standards

7. 1-Dimensional Tables “1-dimensional tables” can be ordered lists of experimental variables in experimental sections of papers.

8. Multi-Dimensional Tables 1 Note the formatting of header and footnotes.

9. Multi-Dimensional Tables 2 One can use graphics in the Table header!

10. Multi-Dimensional Tables 3 One can use graphics in the Table header! And one can use graphics in Table cells!

11. Art General Remarks Schemes

12. General Guidelines on Art Art items have a “Caption” (a.k.a. “Legend” or “Title”) that starts with “Figure X:”, for example, and is completed by a sentence in text format. -- There are differences from journal to journal. -- ALWAYS adhere to the format of the journal you which you submit! -- Art Categories: Figures, Schemes and Charts Art items must be referred to in the main text. Usually a brief summary of the Figure is provided when the table is referred to in the text. Art items must be self-contained and should be understood without reference to the text. -- provide “units” of variables and of data

13. Organizing Principle of Art Select Aspect Ratio -- Portrait or Landscape? -- Use a non-standard aspect ratio? A square? An oval? Size of Art -- Must fit the journal “layout”. -- Single column width? Double-column width? Full page? Information Flow -- Top-left to bottom-right; (non)-alternating directions per row? -- Center-heavy and radial flow.

14. Art: How Much & What Kind? INTRODUCTION -- One SCHEME for CONTEXT, almost always -- One SCHEME for SCOPE (here or in R&D) METHODS -- Fancy experimental setup? -- Schemes with FLOW DIAGRAMS. RESULTS & DISCUSSION -- Charts of REACTION COMBINATIONS. -- Figures of DATA. -- Schemes of MECHANISMS & INTERPRETATIONS. CONCLUSION -- One SCHEME that EXPANDS on a PRINCIPLE, sometimes What is this all about? Table or Figure. Not Both! A new paradigm?

16. Use Available Resources!

17. COLOR: Important, Needed? Decide on a COLOR SCHEME. Subtractive Color Scheme CMYK K for “key” = black Additive Color Scheme RGB (and Black also)

18. COLOR: Codes Range of R, G, and B Intensities: 256 = 162 values Decimal Numbers (0, 1,… 9): 0 (none) – 255 (full) 2x102 + 5x101 + 5x100 Hexadecimal Numbers (0, 1,… 9, A,… F): 0 (none) – FF (full) = Fx161 + Fx160

19. COLOR WHEEL PRIMARY SECONDARY TERTIARY

20. TONES Add gray SHADES Add black TINTS Add white

21. Aesthetics DATA make the Art! -- Most of the content should be data -- Everything else is there as support Color -- To enhance data -- Do not distract Add-on Features -- Arrows & explanatory devices only if needed Format -- Clean and junk-free It’s all About Data Clean What I like in a good author is not what he says, but what he whispers. Logan Pearsall Smith, "All Trivia," Afterthoughts, 1931

22. Schemes: Flow Direction Linear, left-to-right: Flow to center: Flow from center:

23. Graphical AbstractBad Examples Very

24. Graphical Abstract Fights #1

25. Graphical Abstract Fights #2

26. How to Create Schemes Example: Aspirin Assign. #2: Handout & online.