How to Help Authors to Improve the Quality of Figures

By Kharissia Pettus
Contractor, Origin Editorial

 

Take Home Points:
1.  Authors should choose the best visualizations for their data.

2.  High-quality must figures have all the right components and are accessible.

3.  Housekeeping details matter when publishing high-quality figures.

Figures are important parts of journal articles. A figure contains a visualization or graphical representation of data or concepts that can be a table, graph (or plot), chart, image, schematic, or map. Figures communicate data, have the ability to transmit a lot of information quickly and concisely, and allow readers to explore and understand ideas an article is trying to convey in a different way. Readers will often just look at the figures in an article to determine the article’s main points or if they should read the entire article. In other words, figures can attract readers to your journal, so it will advance the reputation of your journal to help your authors create the best figures they can. This blog post gives some tips on how authors can create high-quality figures.

A Visualization Must Fit the Data or a Concept

Figures should be easy to understand by the article’s intended audience and able to stand-alone (i.e. be understood without reading the text). To achieve this, authors need to pick the right visual representation for a data set and the message to be conveyed. Picking the right visual representations allows readers to use figures to detect data patterns and outliers or better understand concepts.  Some questions authors should ask themselves before creating a quality figure are

  1. What is the purpose of the figure? A figure should concisely communicate important information and help readers easily understand or analyze data.
  2. Who is the article’s audience? Expert readers can handle more complex figures than general readers.
  3. Which type of visualization will work best? Some visual representations are good for showing the readers facts and figures (such as tables and bar graphs); other representations are better for helping readers analyze data (such as line graphs).

Authors should use the best visualization type for the data or concept they are presenting. For example, tables are good visualizations to use when organizing data. Line graphs are good visualizations to show trends or to compare data. Diagrams and photos can show the parts of an object or how an object is put together.

A Figure is More Than a Good Visualization

Good graphical representations or visualizations should be created while understanding that many people may have trouble processing figures (see Home | Section508.gov for a comprehensive discussion). For example, some people have trouble distinguishing colors. Red and green or blue and yellow combinations should be avoided. If possible, using colors should be avoided in favor of using textures and shapes to distinguish between data or trends of data. Some fonts are easier to read than others; letters and numbers are more easily distinguished with serif fonts than sans serif fonts.

High-quality figures are more than just good visualizations or images. Good figures have clear labels—all axes in graphs should be labeled and important items should be labeled on images. Scale bars, which indicate distance or the sizes of features in the image, are included in good figures that use images or schematics. Sometimes graphs need to be explained using legends—a legend can tell what each line or bar of a graph represents (not to be confused with figure captions). Labels, scale bars, or legends use quantities, and units should accompany every quantity used. Care should be given to the fonts, font sizes, and orientation of text used in labels, scale bars, or legends. The use of these features and their legibility are often key for readers to fully understand figures (see Figure 1).

Figure 1: This figure contains the necessary qualities to be quickly and easily understood, including appropriate fonts, font sizes, labels, and scale bars.

Every figure should be accompanied by a short figure caption that often includes the title of a figure, a concise description of the visualization, and a brief description of any symbols or abbreviations used. Furthermore, figures should be introduced and fully described in the text of an article (e.g. what is a figure trying to convey and what are some conclusions that can be drawn from the figure). Note that a figure caption is not alt-text, which is a short statement that accompanies a figure and describes the figure.  Alt-text can make figures accessible to people who cannot see them or have a visual disability. By using figure captions, descriptions, and alt-text, authors can ensure that their data and analyses are accessible and understandable to as many readers as possible.

Authors should review their figures carefully to make sure the figures are not offensive, protect the privacy of human subjects, and do not display company names. Authors need to be aware of any cultural sensitivities or violations of humans’ privacy in their figures and take steps to eliminate any negative impacts. Permission or written consent is often needed when using images of human subjects or human remains, using company logos to avoid trademark infringement, and using any material that has been reused from a previously published source, even if you have adapted the material.

Don’t Forget the Housekeeping Details

So far, creating quality figures has been discussed without dealing with some important housekeeping items. This section will deal with these critical details. One of the most significant points is that manipulating images and data must be avoided (for example, using processing software, cropping images, omitting data) to change or improve results. This can be considered data manipulation. In addition, original visualizations should be used; if figures consist of visualizations not created by authors, permission must be obtained. It is unethical to present manipulated data or to present data that is already published as original.

Authors should also be aware of the journal’s guidelines in which they are interested in publishing. Some guidelines are

  1. The type of file that should be used (for example, tiff or PDF)
  2. The resolution that the native image should have (e.g. 300 dpi, 600 dpi, 1200 dpi)
  3. The color mode that should be used (CMYK or RBG) 
  4. The final dimensions of an image (e.g. 90 mm wide)

Many programs have default settings (e.g. default dpi) which are not the same as a journal’s guidelines, so authors should create their figures using the journal’s guidelines from the start and not upscale the figure. The best conceived figure will simply not look good if the resolution is poor, does not fit the space provided, or is saved using the wrong file type.

Conclusion

Journals with great reputations are often known for their high-quality figures, so helping authors submit high-quality figures with their journal articles can be crucial to how your journal is perceived. Take the time to guide authors through the development of figures. Remind authors to develop the best figures for their data or concepts and do not hesitate to provide examples to help authors understand your journal’s guidelines. Remember, bad figures can confuse or even offend readers and distract from the conclusions of a journal article, while good figures illuminate an article and are able to draw readers in. 

References

  1. Accessible Figures Guidance. (2023). https://teachinghub.bath.ac.uk/accessible-figures-guidance/
  2. Dames, J., An Incomplete Guide to Creating Accessible Content, Tag Suite conference (JATS-Con) Proceedings (2022). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK579620/
  3. Figures and Tables. (2023). https://www.springer.com/gp/authors-editors/authorandreviewertutorials/writing-a-journal-manuscript/figures-and-tables/10285530
  4. Getting Better Quality Figures/ Images for Publication. (2018). https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.ismte.org/resource/resmgr/Docs/Getting_Better_Quality_Figur.pdf
  5. Lannon, J. M. (1997). Technical Communication. Addison-Wesley Educational Publishers Inc.
  6. Nature Formatting Guide. (2023). https://www.nature.com/nature/for-authors/formatting-guide
  7. Section508.gov. (n.d.). https://www.section508.gov/
  8. Taylor and Francis Editorial Policies, Images and Figures. (n.d.). https://authorservices.taylorandfrancis.com/editorial-policies/images-and-figures/
  9. Taylor and Francis Author Services, How to make your research accessible: A step-by-step guide. (2023). https://authorservices.taylorandfrancis.com/publishing-your-research/writing-your-paper/how-to-make-your-research-accessible/

Conflicts of Interest:
None to declare

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Consultant

shill@origineditorial.com

Sherrie has been with Origin Editorial since 2017. She has worked in the editorial office for several journals and is currently working as the Assistant Peer Review Manager for the American Journal of Audiology. Additionally, Sherrie is the Project Manager for the editorial office reporting software application, Origin Reports. She uses her background in engineering to help design the customized editorial office charts, tables, and reports available in the application. Sherrie also provides personalized customer support for all Origin Reports users with reporting issues or questions.

Diane Dunham Drexler

Client Coordinator/Consultant

ddrexler@origineditorial.com

Diane began as a chemistry and physics instructor, providing a seamless transition to academic publishing. She served as the Publications Manager for the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology and managed its premier journal Neuropsychopharmacology. Later, she steered the college’s new initiative, Neuropsychopharmacology Reviews, from its launch through the sixth volume, including liaising with the publisher’s medical illustrator to create NPPR’s signature graphics. Diane has worked closely with abstract management submission designers and production teams to create online meeting abstracts and eBooks. She is exceptionally skilled in eJP, EM, and believes in a collaborative effort. Joining Origin Editorial in 2012 as the Publications Director for the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine, she managed the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation until her more recent role of Peer Review Manager for Applied Physics Letters at the American Institute of Physics. Additionally, she manages the Journal of Clinical Lipidology, a publication of the National Lipid Society. Diane serves on several committees at ISMTE and is a member of CSE. She has Diane received her undergraduate degree from The University of Mary Washington in Virginia and her MEd in Secondary Science from Converse University in South Carolina.

Steve Cavanaugh

Client Coordinator/Consultant

scavanaugh@origineditorial.com

Steve got his start in publishing with Mosby Year-Book in Philadelphia in 1995, after working as a teacher, chef and various sundry jobs up and down the East Coast of the US. After returning to the Boston, Mass area, he worked in IT until returning to publishing with the journal Pharmacotherapy in 1999. He joined the Origin Editorial team in 2013 and has worked on a variety of journals in medicine, environmental science and physics.

Denise Kuo

Client Coordinator/Consultant

dkuo@origineditorial.com

Denise is a highly accomplished journal operations professional with 20 years of experience in scientific publishing. She has expertise in team leadership, customer relationships, and leading successful complex projects to implement efficiencies for improved productivity and reduction in costs. Denise is respected as a strong people leader excelling at developing and mentoring teams in providing high-quality, meaningful insight to senior management and other stakeholders for positive results. Before coming to Origin, she served as Director of Journal Operations, Circulation Journals and JAHA at the American Heart Association where she was responsible for ensuring standardization and implementing workflow efficiencies across the 13-journal portfolio. She is a member of ISMTE and CSE. She has served as a CSE Mentor and as a member of the SSP Marketing and Communications Committee.

Glenn Collins

Client Coordinator/Consultant

gcollins@origineditorial.com

Glenn graduated from Cornell University in 1991 with a BS in Biology. After working in a microbiology lab for a few years at Pall Corporation he started his STM publishing career at John Wiley and Sons in 1995. He left Wiley and moved to San Diego in 2000 where he first worked for the journal Brain Research before becoming the managing editor of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC). After twelve plus years as the Executive Managing Editor of the JACC journals Glenn moved to Origin Editorial where he assumed the role of Publications Director/Managing Editor for the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine (ACRM). In this role he oversees the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and its open access companion the Archives of Rehabilitation Research and Clinical Translation. In 2021 Glenn assumed the position of Director of Sales, Publications and Social Media for ACRM. Glenn has helped develop and launch five (and counting) new journals in the STM field. Glenn is a past president of ISMTE.

Dave Allen

Client Coordinator/Consultant

dallen@origineditorial.co

Dave has over 21 years of publishing experience. He started his publishing career with the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research, which self-published a journal and textbook, eventually becoming the Director of Publications. He then moved to take editorial leadership of CIG Media Group, LLC, which operated eight clinical oncology journals. From there he became a Publisher for Elsevier, specializing in oncology and radiology, with a portfolio of 12 journals, overseeing their operations for seven years. Dave moved to Origin Editorial in 2018 where he continues to manage journals as well as provide consultations for scientific societies. His Origin clients have included the American Association of Thoracic Surgery, the American Heart Association, and Cochrane. Dave has recently started as the Editorial Director for a large client. Dave has extensive experience in project, people, and budget management in the private and non-profit sectors. His experience includes developing and implementing new initiatives; creating and managing complex workflows and processes; forecasting and developing budgets; supervising employees; and collaborating with commercial sponsors, governing boards, and society leaders. Dave is the vice chair of the ISMTE Sponsorship Committee.

Erin Landis

Managing Director

elandis@origineditorial.com

Erin has more than two decades of leadership, strategic planning, project management, and relationship-building experience. As the Managing Director of Origin Editorial, she guides strategy, business development, and operations. Before Origin, she was the Vice President of Publications for the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), where she oversaw the editorial and financial operations, as well as the strategic direction of several GI-related publications, including five peer-reviewed journals. Erin recently served as the president of ISMTE and serves as the chair of the Global Event Oversight Committee and as a member on the Education & Standards Committee. She’s also a member of SSP and CSE where she has served as a mentor. Also, she is a current member of the CSE DEI Committee. She also served as co-chair of the Publishing Professional Peer Group for the Council of Medical Specialty Societies and was a member of the writing group for the C4DISC Toolkits for Equity Project’s “Antiracism Toolkit for Organizations.” Erin received her degree in psychology from The College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, VA.

Kristen Overstreet

Senior Partner

kristen@origineditorial.com

Kristen oversees operations for Origin Editorial and Origin Reports, including managing the process of finding experienced team members to provide services to Origin’s clients. Kristen is a Past President of the ISMTE Board of Directors and currently serves the ISMTE on the Early Career and North America Meeting committees. She is also a member of the CSE, recently serving on their IAB Task Force, and FORCE11, serving on the Research Data Publishing Ethics Working Group. For more than 20 years, Kristen has been known for elevating journal operations and improving journal and peer review management through use of effective policies and procedures. She provides consultation to Origin clients regarding effective peer review management and speaks regularly on peer review operations and ethics at industry meetings.

Jason Roberts, PhD

Senior Partner

Jason@origineditorial.com

Dr. Roberts is a globally recognized peer review management specialist, publisher and intermittent academic investigator on all matters related to the conduct of peer review. He is focused on improving the quality, rigorousness and successful delivery of scholarly communications, regardless of discipline. After earning a doctorate in Geography from Loughborough University in the United Kingdom, Dr. Roberts began a career in publishing at Blackwell Science in Oxford, England and then Boston, Massachusetts, eventually becoming a Senior Editor of US-based medical journals. In 2010, Dr. Roberts formed Origin Editorial, one of the first, and now largest, independently owned companies to offer professional peer review management for journals. Dr. Roberts is a past-president of ISMTE. Dr. Roberts has a particular interest in improving standards of reporting in biomedical journals and the monitoring of publication ethics issues. He has contributed book chapters and research articles on these topics and collaborated closely with the EQUATOR Network, the Ottawa Centre for Journalology and the Committee on Publication Ethics. Dr. Roberts is a co-author of Peer Review: Reform and Renewal in Scientific Publishing” (2017, Against the Grain Publishing). He currently sits on the editorial board of the journal Research Integrity and Peer Review and is a frequent reviewer for papers on the subject of peer review for Learned Publishing and The BMJ