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The use of tables, illustrations, and graphs for effective research presentation
PAGE 92
JOURNAL OF VASCULAR NURSING
SEPTEMBER 1995
The use of tables, illustrations, and graphs for effective research presentation P a t r i c i a A. K r a w i e c , RN, MS Presenting research findings is an essential component of the research process. Visual aids such as tables, illustrations, and graphs enhance the process of presenting research results. Use o f these types of visual aids allow the presenter to be more effective and to capture the audience's f u l l attention. (J VAsc Nvm 1995;13:92.)
Nursing research is imperative in advancing the role o f the nurse as a valued professional. For decades nurses have b e e n practicing through tradition with the guidance of the medical m o d e l and not questioning " w h y we do things." N o w as the profession is b l o s s o m i n g nurses are questioning practice in traditional m e t h o d s and are inquiring into the rationale of everyday practice. Nursing research is b e c o m i n g an essential c o m p o n e n t in the d e v e l o p m e n t of the nursing profession. Nursing research provides the k n o w l e d g e and scientific basis to plan, predict, and control the o u t c o m e s of nursing practice. 1 Research requires patience and persistence, but the o u t c o m e is invaluable to the nursing profession. For the researcher, conducting the research is only the first step in the nursing research process. Unless these results are c o m m u n i c a t e d to others in the profession, the diligent w o r k is futile. C o m m u n i c a t i o n of research findings is essential. Communicating findings enables others in the healthcare profession to acquire a solid scientific basis for practice, provides p e r s o n a l recognition, and may e n h a n c e professional a d v a n c e m e n t . These rewards are essential to the c o n t i n u a t i o n of research. C o m m u n i c a t i o n of findings to an audience can evolve in m a n y ways. A research article can b e s u b m i t t e d to a journal a p p r o p r i a t e for the topic. Poster presentations provide an interactive style of sharing information gained from nursing research. Oral p r e s e n t a t i o n s also provide a f o r u m to disseminate nursing k n o w l e d g e gained through research. Regardless o f the m e t h o d o f communication, displaying the information in a meaningful, concise m a n n e r is as i m p o r t a n t as the research itself. PRESENTATION OF RESULTS Both qualitative a n d quantitative results may be organized into tables, illustrations, or graphs for presentation. Visuals allow the audience to follow the p r e s e n t a t i o n m o r e closely and recall the i m p o r t a n t aspects of the research.
Patrlcta Krawiec is a case manager at Bristol Hospital in Bristol, Conr~ Address reprint requests to Patrlcla A~ Krawtec, RN, MS, 37 Songbird Ln., Farmtngton, CT 06032. Copyright © 1995 by the Soaety f o r Vascular Nursing, Inc. 1062-0303/95/$5.00 + 0 40/1/66728
TABLES Tables are useful in p r e s e n t i n g research findings. W h e n using tables k e e p in m i n d these tips: • Tables provide detailed information in a concise fashion • Tables are not u s e d to display entire study • Major points/trends should be e m p h a s i z e d • Results are p r e s e n t e d in columns or rows • With n u m b e r s r o u n d the decimal to o n e or two decimals • Limit the n u m b e r o f tables p e r p r e s e n t a t i o n • Keep tables simple • T w o simple tables are b e t t e r than o n e c o m p l e x table • Provide a brief, succinct heading at the top of the table • Tables should be u n d e r s t a n d a b l e without having to refer to text • A table should be placed as close as possible to the section of text to which it refers 12 ILLUSTRATIONS Illustrations are also effective m e t h o d s in providing the r e a d e r with a picture o f the material being p r e s e n t e d . They are often depicted as diagrams. A few guidelines for illustrations include the following: • Pie diagrams s h o w results as a p e r c e n t of the w h o l e • Wedges o f the pie can be color-shaded to r e p r e s e n t variables or simple g r o u p s • Wedges can be displayed apart from the pie as a whole for emphasis GRAPHS
Two m a j o r types o f graphs are often u s e d to p r e s e n t results. T h e y are bar g r a p h s and line graphs. W h e n using graphs k e e p in m i n d the following: • Bar graphs use horizontal or vertical bars • These bars r e p r e s e n t variables or groups studied • They are u s e d as a m e a n s of c o m p a r i s o n • Line graphs use horizontal or vertical lines • Line graphs use a series o f points joined by a line • Graphs s h o w h o w quantity varies from o n e time to the next CONCLUSION Presentation of results o f nursing research is an essential c o m p o n e n t o f the research process. Whichever m e t h o d is chosen to p r e s e n t results o f research, following a few tips and guidelines will assist the researcher in carrying out and c o m p l e t i n g the research process effectively. i
REFERENCES 1. Burns N, Grove SK. The practice of nursing research: c o n d u c t critique a n d utilization. Philadelphia: WB Saunders Co., 1987:583-7. 2. Froman, R. Tips for tables. Sterrs, Conn.: University of Connecticut, 1989.
JOURNAL OF VASCULAR NURSING
SEPTEMBER 1995
The use of tables, illustrations, and graphs for effective research presentation P a t r i c i a A. K r a w i e c , RN, MS Presenting research findings is an essential component of the research process. Visual aids such as tables, illustrations, and graphs enhance the process of presenting research results. Use o f these types of visual aids allow the presenter to be more effective and to capture the audience's f u l l attention. (J VAsc Nvm 1995;13:92.)
Nursing research is imperative in advancing the role o f the nurse as a valued professional. For decades nurses have b e e n practicing through tradition with the guidance of the medical m o d e l and not questioning " w h y we do things." N o w as the profession is b l o s s o m i n g nurses are questioning practice in traditional m e t h o d s and are inquiring into the rationale of everyday practice. Nursing research is b e c o m i n g an essential c o m p o n e n t in the d e v e l o p m e n t of the nursing profession. Nursing research provides the k n o w l e d g e and scientific basis to plan, predict, and control the o u t c o m e s of nursing practice. 1 Research requires patience and persistence, but the o u t c o m e is invaluable to the nursing profession. For the researcher, conducting the research is only the first step in the nursing research process. Unless these results are c o m m u n i c a t e d to others in the profession, the diligent w o r k is futile. C o m m u n i c a t i o n of research findings is essential. Communicating findings enables others in the healthcare profession to acquire a solid scientific basis for practice, provides p e r s o n a l recognition, and may e n h a n c e professional a d v a n c e m e n t . These rewards are essential to the c o n t i n u a t i o n of research. C o m m u n i c a t i o n of findings to an audience can evolve in m a n y ways. A research article can b e s u b m i t t e d to a journal a p p r o p r i a t e for the topic. Poster presentations provide an interactive style of sharing information gained from nursing research. Oral p r e s e n t a t i o n s also provide a f o r u m to disseminate nursing k n o w l e d g e gained through research. Regardless o f the m e t h o d o f communication, displaying the information in a meaningful, concise m a n n e r is as i m p o r t a n t as the research itself. PRESENTATION OF RESULTS Both qualitative a n d quantitative results may be organized into tables, illustrations, or graphs for presentation. Visuals allow the audience to follow the p r e s e n t a t i o n m o r e closely and recall the i m p o r t a n t aspects of the research.
Patrlcta Krawiec is a case manager at Bristol Hospital in Bristol, Conr~ Address reprint requests to Patrlcla A~ Krawtec, RN, MS, 37 Songbird Ln., Farmtngton, CT 06032. Copyright © 1995 by the Soaety f o r Vascular Nursing, Inc. 1062-0303/95/$5.00 + 0 40/1/66728
TABLES Tables are useful in p r e s e n t i n g research findings. W h e n using tables k e e p in m i n d these tips: • Tables provide detailed information in a concise fashion • Tables are not u s e d to display entire study • Major points/trends should be e m p h a s i z e d • Results are p r e s e n t e d in columns or rows • With n u m b e r s r o u n d the decimal to o n e or two decimals • Limit the n u m b e r o f tables p e r p r e s e n t a t i o n • Keep tables simple • T w o simple tables are b e t t e r than o n e c o m p l e x table • Provide a brief, succinct heading at the top of the table • Tables should be u n d e r s t a n d a b l e without having to refer to text • A table should be placed as close as possible to the section of text to which it refers 12 ILLUSTRATIONS Illustrations are also effective m e t h o d s in providing the r e a d e r with a picture o f the material being p r e s e n t e d . They are often depicted as diagrams. A few guidelines for illustrations include the following: • Pie diagrams s h o w results as a p e r c e n t of the w h o l e • Wedges o f the pie can be color-shaded to r e p r e s e n t variables or simple g r o u p s • Wedges can be displayed apart from the pie as a whole for emphasis GRAPHS
Two m a j o r types o f graphs are often u s e d to p r e s e n t results. T h e y are bar g r a p h s and line graphs. W h e n using graphs k e e p in m i n d the following: • Bar graphs use horizontal or vertical bars • These bars r e p r e s e n t variables or groups studied • They are u s e d as a m e a n s of c o m p a r i s o n • Line graphs use horizontal or vertical lines • Line graphs use a series o f points joined by a line • Graphs s h o w h o w quantity varies from o n e time to the next CONCLUSION Presentation of results o f nursing research is an essential c o m p o n e n t o f the research process. Whichever m e t h o d is chosen to p r e s e n t results o f research, following a few tips and guidelines will assist the researcher in carrying out and c o m p l e t i n g the research process effectively. i
REFERENCES 1. Burns N, Grove SK. The practice of nursing research: c o n d u c t critique a n d utilization. Philadelphia: WB Saunders Co., 1987:583-7. 2. Froman, R. Tips for tables. Sterrs, Conn.: University of Connecticut, 1989.