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Engelberth Research Group

Report Visuals and Data Display

Visuals and Data Display Include:

Figures

  • Graphs
  • Sketches
  • Schematics
  • Process flow diagrams

 

The caption for a figure should be placed below the figure and should be centered.  The caption should be descriptive enough that the reader can understand the figure without referring to the text.  All figures should be referenced in the text before they appear in your report.  An example, Figure 2 is included.  Notice that in the sentence the first letter of the word FIGURE is capitalized when directly referring to a figure.  The font for the figure caption should be 1 point smaller than the font for the report text to differentiate the caption from the report body.  Notice the stylization of the caption in Figure 2.  When referring to your figure, avoid phrases like “as shown on below” or “as seen on the following page” because your figure may not always print as intended.  It is clear to simply number the figure and refer to it by its number in the text; in fact, always refer to every visual by their name (i.e. Figure) and corresponding number.

 

Figure 2: Schematic diagram of the experimental apparatus to measure mass transfer coefficient for ammonia absorption.

 

Illustrations

  1. Do not copy illustrations from any source.  You must make your own schematics.
    1. Software suggestions to help construct schematics: MS Visio, MS PowerPoint, MS Paint, or lucidchart.com.
  2. Give the drawing a clear title and a figure number: center the title below the drawing. 
  3. Label the parts for easy reference.  Use arrows if necessary. 
  4. Depending on the complexity of the drawing, assign numbers or letters to each part with an accompanying key or legend.
  5. Include dimensions when necessary.

Graphs and Data Presentation

Presenting your data in an accurate and concise manner is required for a quality lab report.  It is up to you to figure out the best way to display the data analysis from your lab.  Figures 3 and 4 are included as examples of how to present your analysis data.  Figure 3 is a representation of inadequate data presentation.  Figure 4 displays a better way to present results.  Both graphs were made in Microsoft Excel.  The following list shows why Figure 3 is not the best way to present the data. 

  • A chart title is given at the top of the graph.  This is unnecessary since your reader can clearly see that the graph shows the wall shear stress as a function of wall shear rate.
  • The units are not included on the axis title.
  • The differences in the data series are shown by color difference only.  This will not work is your report is printed in black and white.
  • The legend takes up a lot of space on the right hand side. 
  • The grid-lines are distracting.
  • The caption leaves a lot to be desired.  The figure caption should be descriptive and should allow your figure to stand-alone from the text. Your figure caption should convey the following information:
    • What does the graph show?
    • Why is it important?
    • What conclusion can be drawn from the graph?
  • The inclusion of regression equations is distracting; they are small, improperly placed, and contain too many significant digits.  The importance of fitting the data to an equation is not given in the descriptive caption.
  • Acronym (LBG) is not defined.

 

 

 

Figure 3: Wall shear rate as a function of shear stress.  The red triangles show the xanthan gum, the blue shows the gelatin and the orange is the LBG.  The data fit well to show shear thinning behavior and the equations show the consistency index and the flow behavior index.

DO NOT MAKE YOUR FIGURES OR CAPTIONS LIKE FIGURE 3

 

 

Figure 4: Behavior profile for xanthan gum(▲), gelatin (●) and locust bean gum (☐) determined using a capillary flow viscometer at room temperature (22˚C).  The profile was plotted as a log-log plot to demonstrate the linear relationship between shear rate and shear stress.  Linear regression was performed to determine the fluid type; all regression lines had an R2 value >0.98.  The three solutions all exhibited shear thinning behavior and was verified using the value of the flow behavior index, n, which was <1 in each case. 

 

Tables

The caption for a table should be placed above the table and should be aligned with the left side of the table.  The caption should be descriptive enough that the reader can understand the table without referring to the text.  All tables should be referenced in the text before they appear in your report.  An example, Table 1 is included.  Notice that in the sentence the first letter of the word TABLE is capitalized when referring to a table.  The font for the table caption should be 1 point smaller than the font for the report text.  Notice the stylization of the caption in Table 1.  Tables should be well organized and should clearly show the independent variable.  Notice also how Table 1 directs the reader to the Sample Calculations. The asterisk allows the reader to see how Kog was calculated, at least for the initial conditions.

Table 1: Experimental results for Kog.  The flow rate, Q, was the independent variable and ranged from 70 to 150 L/min.

 

Special note: Take note of the significant figures (SigFigs) in your reports.  Many of you calculations will be performed and reported using Microsoft Excel, which will gladly spit out as many SigFigs as you want.  However, this is not good practice; especially when reporting on experimental data.  If the tool you use in the lab is only able to measure one SigFig, then you can only report one SigFig in your analysis.  If the tool you use is able to report three SigFigs, then you can use three SigFigs.   

Equations

If you add an equation to your report, you must to refer to it in the text; much like you find in a textbook.  You must number your equations.  An example is shown in Equation 1.  Notice that in the previous sentence the first letter of the word EQUATION is capitalized when referring to an equation in the text.  The equation should be tabbed to start at 2” in from the left margin and the designation number should be right justified as shown in Equation 1.  Do not forget to explain the terms in your equations.

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