Recommendations on preparation of line graphs for presentation of scientific data
Majid Seddigh, Gary D. Jolliff · Journal of Agronomic Education · 1988
ABSTRACT Line graphs are widely used for illustrating scientific data and can be designed to report scientific data in an easily comprehensible fashion. However, inconsistency in the style and format of published line graphs make them less effective as tools for scientific communication. The increasing number of published computer‐drawn graphs produced by utilizing various kinds of software with different capabilities has added to these inconsistencies. This article discusses some of the most common inconsistencies among researchers using computer‐reproduced graphs and recommends some standards to improve the quality and uniformity of presenting scientific data. The recommendations are relevant for effective and efficient data communication rather than data analysis. The focus is on the basic elements of a line graph such as size and dimensions of the original graph, units, scales, intervals, style and size of letters and numbers, width of graph's contents, and plotting symbols and connecting lines.