Designing Readable and Persuasive Tables,
Abstract
Tables have various uses. One is simply to store information in a compact, readily accessible, and self-documented form. Another is to persuade a reader that an argument presented in the text of an article, report, or book is valid. Another--regrettably common in research reports--is to demonstrate that the author has done a lot of work. Tables often fail the storage function because critical elements of data have been omitted, because the data are poorly labeled, or just because they look untrustworthy. They often fail as evidence in support of an argument for those same reasons and also because the reader can't see the alleged pattern clearly. He needs help from the author both in the text and in the design of the table. This essay distills the author's experience as a writer, editor, and reader of research reports into a practical guide to table design. Its advice is aimed primarily at authors--researchers who have assembled data that they plan to use as evidence in a professional article, research report, or book. The guide should also help professional editors who often must advise authors how to improve their drafts without fully understanding the import of the data offered.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1983
- Accession Number
- ADA145254
Entities
People
- I. S. Lowry
Organizations
- RAND Corporation