Presentation of Findings
Unlike essays, reports often rely on the visual presentation of information and data, including tables, graphs, and charts. This can support the interpretation of the findings by making comparisons, differentiations, patterns, themes, and trends more evident to the reader. Careful choice of visual means of presenting findings can enhance the quality and clarity of your report.
Examples of visual forms of communication include:
- Tables to organise and present information in a structured format.
- Graphs to show trends or the relationships between two variables.
- Bar charts to compare total amounts between different categories of data.
- Pie charts to show relative proportions of findings within the whole sample.
- Flow charts to show sequences of operations.
- Organisational charts to show hierarchies and lines of management within organisations.
- Diagrams to represent complex processes or ideas in a simple visual form.
- Plans to show spatial relationships.
- Photographs to present real-life circumstances and phenomena.
All graphics need to be labelled with a useful descriptive title. Tables are numbered independently of other graphics (Table 1, Table 2, etc) and the title typically goes above the table. All other graphics are given Figure numbers (Figure 1, Figure 2, etc) and the title is placed below. Include a citation in the correct referencing style for your course if the information or data is from another source than your own.
