Visual Presentation of Findings

Overview:
The results of a research can be more effectively and clearly reported by the use of
illustrations. Illustrations are visual displays of information and include tables, graphs
(pie charts, line and bar graphs and histograms), flow charts, drawings, photographs and
diagrams. If appropriately chosen and used, they can complement the written results to
help readers understand the data, identify significant features of the data and enable
readers to grasp the importance of the entire report.

CREATING VISUAL AIDS

 To create visual impact, the findings must be presented
1. relevantly – do not include details just to make the visual look pretty.
2. clearly – label the parts clearly. Include
a) Captions (figure numbers, labels on axes, title)
b) Arrows or “callouts” to direct the attention of the audience to specific
features.
c) Legends/symbols to ensure that there is no misinterpretation.
3. truthfully- Ensure that the scales are drawn accurately.

COMMON CONVENTIONS IN VISUALS

 Each visual should contain:
1. Figure or table number
2. Title or caption
3. Labels of parts in the illustration

Numbering Figures & Tables

 Visuals are grouped into two categories – figures and tables. All visuals (graphs,
maps, diagrams, photographs and flow charts) except tables are labeled as figures.
 To number the visuals

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 1. use Arabic numerals (eg “Figure 4”, not “Figure Four”)
2. number figures and tables separately.
3. number the visuals in their sequential order of appearance.

Writing Illustration Titles

The title should be written briefly, informatively and objectively.
1. Provide brief yet informative title (Short & Sharp).
Example:
brief but not precise Effects of Temperature
brief and precise Effects of Incubation temperature for Chicken Breeding

2. Avoid unnecessary words

Example:
Wordy: Graph of Types of Chloride against Distance from Surface
Measured from 10 mm to 25 mm.
Concise: Chloride Types against Distance from Surface (10mm to 25mm)

3. Write objective titles

Example:
Subjective: Great Increase in Steel Stress against Steady Concrete Expansion
over Time
Objective: Increase in Steel Stress against Concrete Expansion over Time

4. Use a noun phrase

 A noun phrase can be written in the form of a noun with accompanying modifiers
(adjectives or nouns) or using a verb in the –ing from to create a gerund.
Example:
Noun phrase: Sea-based Wave Energy Machine
Gerund phrase: Creating Images from a PCX Programme

5. Use a colon for clarity

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  The first phrase depicts the general concept while the second phrase depicts the
main idea in the illustration.
Example:
Picomotor Drivers: Computer Control and Closed-Loop Application

6. Place your titles properly

 Titles of table are usually placed above the tables while titles of figures are
usually below the figures.

SELECTING VISUAL AIDS

Visual Aids Strengths Weaknesses

TABLE Shows detailed and accurate Slow to show relationship.
numerical data

GRAPH
 Line Clear presentation of trends & Too many lines can be confusing.
relationships over time.

 Bar Best for comparison Often incorrectly drawn.

 Gantt Excellent for scheduling events Is quite large; needs updating.

 Pie Compares divisions; shows Wedges can be confusing and

comparison totaling 100% difficult to compare.

FLOW CHART Best describes processes Many items may require a large
chart.

DRAWING Accurate representations of Require special knowledge or

images. skill to prepare.

DIAGRAM Best for illustrating flows. May not accurately reflect relative
importance of parts.

PHOTOGRAPH Captures irreproducible settings Skills and equipment needed.

CONVENTIONS FOR CREATING GRAPHICS

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TABLES
1. Maintain as few rows as possible.
2. Give the table a number and suitable title and place these above the table.
3. Design the table for reliable, quick scanning by putting common entries at the top.
4. Order the rows and columns logically, not alphabetically.
5. Make the table compact – not too cramped or too spaced out.

Table 1: Learners’ English Proficiency (n = 80)

Item Classification Frequency Percentage

English proficiency Excellent 1 1.25
(learner self- Good 12 15
analysis) Average 62 77.5
Below average 5 6.25
MUET score band Band 6 1 1.25
Band 5 9 11.25
Band 4 30 37.5
Band 3 38 47.5
Band 2 2 2.5
Band 1 0 0

GRAPHS
Line Graphs
1. Use this only if there are few lines.
2. Place the labels on the lines themselves if possible. If not, use a legend.
3. Keep axes proportionate and clearly label them.

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 Figure 1: Comparison of Pulse rates between participants

Bar Graphs
1. Present only a small number of bars.
2. Avoid elaborate patterns.
3. Use different shadings in bars to distinguish between pairs of data.
4. Label the bars where necessary.

CALL experience 36.25

outside class
hours 63.75
Yes
No
CALL experience 90
during class
hours 10

0 20 40 60 80 100
Percentage

Figure 2: Learners’ CALL Experiences (n = 80)

Pie Charts
1. Avoid elaborate patterns.
2. Avoid this if the number of components is less than 3 or more than 8.
3. Start the wedge at 12 o’clock and move clockwise.

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 Figure 3. iMac purchasers illustrating frequencies of previous computer ownership

FLOW CHARTS
1. Label each step in the chart.
2. Use lines or arrows to show the flow clearly.
3. Ensure the flow chart travels either horizontally, or vertically or in a combination
of directions that is easy to follow.

Development Evaluation
Module Module

Implementation
Module

Figure 4. CALL Methodological Framework