Data can be presented either as an inscription (graphs, tables, and diagrams) or summarized in text. Recognizing when to use a graph, table, or text is a critical element of effective writing. This paper provides guidance for presenting data in papers, theses, and dissertations. It focuses primarily on graphs- the most powerful form of inscription- and describes advantages and disadvantages of various graphical formats. Factors related to the effective design of graphs such as: size of data sets, type of data, usability, and human perception are considered.
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