Effective Scientific Figures and Tables | Steven Douglas Aird | TEDxOIST

a little over five years ago I took a

a little over five years ago I took a position as the technical editor at a

position as the technical editor at a

position as the technical editor at a new Japanese graduate university and was

new Japanese graduate university and was

new Japanese graduate university and was able to continue doing my own research

able to continue doing my own research

able to continue doing my own research on the side as well

on the side as well

on the side as well as a result of my new professional

as a result of my new professional

as a result of my new professional responsibilities I began looking at the

responsibilities I began looking at the

responsibilities I began looking at the technical literature the scientific

technical literature the scientific

technical literature the scientific literature in a much more critical way

literature in a much more critical way

literature in a much more critical way than I ever had before and in so doing I

than I ever had before and in so doing I

than I ever had before and in so doing I came to a conclusion that really

came to a conclusion that really

came to a conclusion that really astonished me most of the figures in the

astonished me most of the figures in the

astonished me most of the figures in the scientific literature are absolutely

scientific literature are absolutely

scientific literature are absolutely awful how is it that scientists who are

awful how is it that scientists who are

awful how is it that scientists who are generally speaking passionate about what

generally speaking passionate about what

generally speaking passionate about what they do are so bad about communicating

they do are so bad about communicating

they do are so bad about communicating their results to other people well there

their results to other people well there

their results to other people well there are probably a lot of reasons one is

are probably a lot of reasons one is

are probably a lot of reasons one is that few among us have ever had any

that few among us have ever had any

that few among us have ever had any formal training whatever in technical

formal training whatever in technical

formal training whatever in technical writing or in graphic arts which are

writing or in graphic arts which are

writing or in graphic arts which are core skills for those of us who exist in

core skills for those of us who exist in

core skills for those of us who exist in a publisher perish world the other thing

a publisher perish world the other thing

a publisher perish world the other thing is we learned from our postdoctoral

is we learned from our postdoctoral

is we learned from our postdoctoral advisers who learn from their

advisers who learn from their

advisers who learn from their postdoctoral advisers and so on it goes

postdoctoral advisers and so on it goes

postdoctoral advisers and so on it goes until you arrive back at the

until you arrive back at the

until you arrive back at the neanderthals edging things on cave walls

neanderthals edging things on cave walls

neanderthals edging things on cave walls now if you think that’s a bit hyperbolic

now if you think that’s a bit hyperbolic

now if you think that’s a bit hyperbolic it’s really not because when we look at

it’s really not because when we look at

it’s really not because when we look at photographs of their drawings we think I

photographs of their drawings we think I

photographs of their drawings we think I wonder what they did that for or what

wonder what they did that for or what

wonder what they did that for or what does that mean to them and let’s face it

does that mean to them and let’s face it

does that mean to them and let’s face it that’s the same question we asked when

that’s the same question we asked when

that’s the same question we asked when we read a lot of the scientific

we read a lot of the scientific

we read a lot of the scientific literature what does that mean and we

literature what does that mean and we

literature what does that mean and we don’t have any idea and in fact in my

don’t have any idea and in fact in my

don’t have any idea and in fact in my own research I was having to go into

own research I was having to go into

own research I was having to go into fields that I had never worked in before

fields that I had never worked in before

fields that I had never worked in before so I was venturing well beyond familiar

so I was venturing well beyond familiar

so I was venturing well beyond familiar territory to myself so this view of

territory to myself so this view of

territory to myself so this view of science was very much enhanced so let’s

science was very much enhanced so let’s

science was very much enhanced so let’s take a look at some of the problems and

take a look at some of the problems and

take a look at some of the problems and also some of the process and some of the

also some of the process and some of the

also some of the process and some of the solutions now in a 15-minute talk I

solutions now in a 15-minute talk I

solutions now in a 15-minute talk I can’t possibly begin to talk about all

can’t possibly begin to talk about all

can’t possibly begin to talk about all the different kinds of graphics that we

the different kinds of graphics that we

the different kinds of graphics that we use in the sciences so I hope that

use in the sciences so I hope that

use in the sciences so I hope that you’ll forgive me for using a very small

you’ll forgive me for using a very small

you’ll forgive me for using a very small subset

subset

subset here’s an example these are tube gels

here’s an example these are tube gels

here’s an example these are tube gels probably most of you have never seen

probably most of you have never seen

probably most of you have never seen these things but believe it or not when

these things but believe it or not when

these things but believe it or not when I started my career these were

I started my career these were

I started my career these were state-of-the-art technology and I use

state-of-the-art technology and I use

state-of-the-art technology and I use them in my master’s degree they were

them in my master’s degree they were

them in my master’s degree they were awful I’m sure glad we don’t do that

awful I’m sure glad we don’t do that

awful I’m sure glad we don’t do that anymore if you look at this figure you

anymore if you look at this figure you

anymore if you look at this figure you can see that many of the bands on the

can see that many of the bands on the

can see that many of the bands on the gels have been labeled the legend which

gels have been labeled the legend which

gels have been labeled the legend which I wouldn’t try to read gives many

I wouldn’t try to read gives many

I wouldn’t try to read gives many details about the samples that were

details about the samples that were

details about the samples that were applied and the conditions of the gels

applied and the conditions of the gels

applied and the conditions of the gels so what’s wrong with that well the one

so what’s wrong with that well the one

so what’s wrong with that well the one thing it doesn’t do is the only thing

thing it doesn’t do is the only thing

thing it doesn’t do is the only thing that’s really important it doesn’t tell

that’s really important it doesn’t tell

that’s really important it doesn’t tell you what the science means there is no

you what the science means there is no

you what the science means there is no take-home message whatsoever from this

take-home message whatsoever from this

take-home message whatsoever from this figure and this by the way was published

figure and this by the way was published

figure and this by the way was published in one of the most prestigious

in one of the most prestigious

in one of the most prestigious scientific journals in the world today

many people will tell you that a figure

many people will tell you that a figure legend should not repeat material that

legend should not repeat material that

legend should not repeat material that is in the text malarkey a well written

is in the text malarkey a well written

is in the text malarkey a well written figure legend should be independent of

figure legend should be independent of

figure legend should be independent of the text the reader shouldn’t have to go

the text the reader shouldn’t have to go

the text the reader shouldn’t have to go back and reread large sections of the

back and reread large sections of the

back and reread large sections of the paper to try to figure out what he’s

paper to try to figure out what he’s

paper to try to figure out what he’s looking at how many of you have had to

looking at how many of you have had to

looking at how many of you have had to do exactly that don’t make the readers

do exactly that don’t make the readers

do exactly that don’t make the readers go back to the text and above all else

go back to the text and above all else

go back to the text and above all else explained the scientific significance of

explained the scientific significance of

explained the scientific significance of the data why did you make this figure

the data why did you make this figure

the data why did you make this figure not just to get the publication in a

not just to get the publication in a

not just to get the publication in a particular journal you had an idea that

particular journal you had an idea that

particular journal you had an idea that you wanted to communicate what was it

you wanted to communicate what was it

you wanted to communicate what was it now here’s a figure that was published

now here’s a figure that was published

now here’s a figure that was published by a colleague of mine from Brazil the

by a colleague of mine from Brazil the

by a colleague of mine from Brazil the first legend was one that I made up

first legend was one that I made up

first legend was one that I made up specifically to show you where some of

specifically to show you where some of

specifically to show you where some of the problems are this legend tells you

the problems are this legend tells you

the problems are this legend tells you that there is a relationship between the

that there is a relationship between the

that there is a relationship between the dose of the essential oil of a plant

dose of the essential oil of a plant

dose of the essential oil of a plant called Croton Zentner I and mean

called Croton Zentner I and mean

called Croton Zentner I and mean arterial pressure and heart rate in what

arterial pressure and heart rate in what

arterial pressure and heart rate in what we’re not told okay in other words all

we’re not told okay in other words all

we’re not told okay in other words all you’re told is that there is a

you’re told is that there is a

you’re told is that there is a relationship but it doesn’t tell you

relationship but it doesn’t tell you

relationship but it doesn’t tell you what it is

what it is

what it is many many figure legends are just like

many many figure legends are just like

many many figure legends are just like this they really don’t tell you anything

this they really don’t tell you anything

this they really don’t tell you anything useful

useful

useful the second example was basically what

the second example was basically what

the second example was basically what came out of the paper

came out of the paper

came out of the paper increasing intravenous bolus doses of

increasing intravenous bolus doses of

increasing intravenous bolus doses of essential oil of proteins

essential oil of proteins

essential oil of proteins and it’s two major components anetha

and it’s two major components anetha

and it’s two major components anetha land Esther goal at doses of five ten

land Esther goal at doses of five ten

land Esther goal at doses of five ten and twenty milligrams per kilogram

and twenty milligrams per kilogram

and twenty milligrams per kilogram evoked immediate and dose dependent

evoked immediate and dose dependent

evoked immediate and dose dependent decreases in mean arterial pressure and

decreases in mean arterial pressure and

decreases in mean arterial pressure and heart rate in male with star rats and

heart rate in male with star rats and

heart rate in male with star rats and you’ve even got the statistics okay when

you’ve even got the statistics okay when

you’ve even got the statistics okay when you look at the figure it’s immediately

you look at the figure it’s immediately

you look at the figure it’s immediately obvious what’s going on you can see the

obvious what’s going on you can see the

obvious what’s going on you can see the drop in arterial pressure and heart rate

drop in arterial pressure and heart rate

drop in arterial pressure and heart rate with increasing doses you don’t have to

with increasing doses you don’t have to

with increasing doses you don’t have to spend a lot of time looking at the

spend a lot of time looking at the

spend a lot of time looking at the figure you got the main message right

figure you got the main message right

figure you got the main message right off the bat this is a good way to do it

off the bat this is a good way to do it

off the bat this is a good way to do it here’s another one taken from our

here’s another one taken from our

here’s another one taken from our institution both n-terminal and

institution both n-terminal and

institution both n-terminal and c-terminal regions are required for SI

c-terminal regions are required for SI

c-terminal regions are required for SI not three dependent mrna decay if you

not three dependent mrna decay if you

not three dependent mrna decay if you want to read all the details you can but

want to read all the details you can but

want to read all the details you can but you already got the main message note

you already got the main message note

you already got the main message note that the main message was put right in

that the main message was put right in

that the main message was put right in the figure legend title you didn’t have

the figure legend title you didn’t have

the figure legend title you didn’t have to read the whole legend to get to it

to read the whole legend to get to it

to read the whole legend to get to it it is a short declarative sentence in an

it is a short declarative sentence in an

it is a short declarative sentence in an active voice if you got the message you

active voice if you got the message you

active voice if you got the message you can move on so when you set about

can move on so when you set about

can move on so when you set about creating scientific figures present your

creating scientific figures present your

creating scientific figures present your data in the most intuitive possible way

data in the most intuitive possible way

data in the most intuitive possible way be creative and don’t just do it the way

be creative and don’t just do it the way

be creative and don’t just do it the way everybody else does it because that’s

everybody else does it because that’s

everybody else does it because that’s the way they do it an old adage says

the way they do it an old adage says

the way they do it an old adage says that a picture is worth a thousand words

that a picture is worth a thousand words

that a picture is worth a thousand words and that is certainly true perhaps even

and that is certainly true perhaps even

and that is certainly true perhaps even more in the sciences and above all else

more in the sciences and above all else

more in the sciences and above all else don’t ever use a table where a figure

don’t ever use a table where a figure

don’t ever use a table where a figure can be employed instead why is that it’s

can be employed instead why is that it’s

can be employed instead why is that it’s because human beings are extraordinarily

because human beings are extraordinarily

because human beings are extraordinarily good at spotting and understanding

good at spotting and understanding

good at spotting and understanding patterns but looking at a mass of data

patterns but looking at a mass of data

patterns but looking at a mass of data in a table doesn’t do anything for us

in a table doesn’t do anything for us

in a table doesn’t do anything for us let me show you what I mean

let me show you what I mean

let me show you what I mean okay this is about one sixth of this

okay this is about one sixth of this

okay this is about one sixth of this table what is it well okay I guess I owe

table what is it well okay I guess I owe

table what is it well okay I guess I owe you that explanation when I took this

you that explanation when I took this

you that explanation when I took this job it was really sort of a dream come

job it was really sort of a dream come

job it was really sort of a dream come true in that all my life I’d wanted to

true in that all my life I’d wanted to

true in that all my life I’d wanted to have a job where I could either walk to

have a job where I could either walk to

have a job where I could either walk to work or ride a bicycle to work and so

work or ride a bicycle to work and so

work or ride a bicycle to work and so this was my golden opportunity so I went

this was my golden opportunity so I went

this was my golden opportunity so I went out and bought a carbon fiber road bike

out and bought a carbon fiber road bike

out and bought a carbon fiber road bike that cost Martha more than my car I’m

that cost Martha more than my car I’m

that cost Martha more than my car I’m sure you’re really impressed with that I

sure you’re really impressed with that I

sure you’re really impressed with that I probably shouldn’t tell you as a 13 year

probably shouldn’t tell you as a 13 year

probably shouldn’t tell you as a 13 year old

old

old but anyway I got a good bicycle and

but anyway I got a good bicycle and

but anyway I got a good bicycle and started writing to work and I thought

started writing to work and I thought

started writing to work and I thought well as long as I’m at it I might as

well as long as I’m at it I might as

well as long as I’m at it I might as well record my mileage just to see where

well record my mileage just to see where

well record my mileage just to see where I’m at at the end of the year so I did

I’m at at the end of the year so I did

I’m at at the end of the year so I did but the point is that when you look at

but the point is that when you look at

but the point is that when you look at this data the pattern in the data it

this data the pattern in the data it

this data the pattern in the data it just doesn’t jump out and grab you you

just doesn’t jump out and grab you you

just doesn’t jump out and grab you you can’t make any sense of it but when it’s

can’t make any sense of it but when it’s

can’t make any sense of it but when it’s plotted in a graph it’s a totally

plotted in a graph it’s a totally

plotted in a graph it’s a totally different story now you can see the

different story now you can see the

different story now you can see the climbing kilometers by the Green Line

climbing kilometers by the Green Line

climbing kilometers by the Green Line there there are level spots where I

there there are level spots where I

there there are level spots where I didn’t ride because of typhoons or

didn’t ride because of typhoons or

didn’t ride because of typhoons or traveling or other obligations you can

traveling or other obligations you can

traveling or other obligations you can see the daily mileages as dots scattered

see the daily mileages as dots scattered

see the daily mileages as dots scattered all over the graph and there were sure a

all over the graph and there were sure a

all over the graph and there were sure a lot of days across the x-axis where I

lot of days across the x-axis where I

lot of days across the x-axis where I didn’t ride at all and I ended up with

didn’t ride at all and I ended up with

didn’t ride at all and I ended up with almost 8,000 kilometers on the year

almost 8,000 kilometers on the year

almost 8,000 kilometers on the year which for a 60 year old guy wasn’t too

which for a 60 year old guy wasn’t too

which for a 60 year old guy wasn’t too bad at least I figured I would make it

bad at least I figured I would make it

bad at least I figured I would make it to 61 if I could keep doing that I’m not

to 61 if I could keep doing that I’m not

to 61 if I could keep doing that I’m not sure how much far longer this is gonna

sure how much far longer this is gonna

sure how much far longer this is gonna work but anyway so you can see the

work but anyway so you can see the

work but anyway so you can see the patterns in the data very very easily

patterns in the data very very easily

patterns in the data very very easily once they’re plotted but not when

once they’re plotted but not when

once they’re plotted but not when they’re in a table please promise me you

they’re in a table please promise me you

they’re in a table please promise me you will never ever do this do not ever use

will never ever do this do not ever use

will never ever do this do not ever use a 3d bar chart for 2d data that kind of

a 3d bar chart for 2d data that kind of

a 3d bar chart for 2d data that kind of fluff is for business graphics and maybe

fluff is for business graphics and maybe

fluff is for business graphics and maybe for journalism where superficial stuff

for journalism where superficial stuff

for journalism where superficial stuff is more important than real substance

is more important than real substance

is more important than real substance and in the sciences this is actually a

and in the sciences this is actually a

and in the sciences this is actually a problem because when you look at this

problem because when you look at this

problem because when you look at this graph you can’t tell where those columns

graph you can’t tell where those columns

graph you can’t tell where those columns intersect the y-axis this kind of a

intersect the y-axis this kind of a

intersect the y-axis this kind of a graph actually obscures information

graph actually obscures information

graph actually obscures information rather than transmitting it so don’t do

rather than transmitting it so don’t do

rather than transmitting it so don’t do it here’s another good bad example you

it here’s another good bad example you

it here’s another good bad example you notice that there’s a very lengthy

notice that there’s a very lengthy

notice that there’s a very lengthy figure legend this is an

figure legend this is an

figure legend this is an electrophysiological figure and a

electrophysiological figure and a

electrophysiological figure and a colleague of mine who was an

colleague of mine who was an

colleague of mine who was an electrophysiologist spent quite a while

electrophysiologist spent quite a while

electrophysiologist spent quite a while looking at this before we she was kind

looking at this before we she was kind

looking at this before we she was kind of sort of able to explain it to me I

of sort of able to explain it to me I

of sort of able to explain it to me I never did get it part of the problem is

never did get it part of the problem is

never did get it part of the problem is the axis labels I’m not sure what P of T

the axis labels I’m not sure what P of T

the axis labels I’m not sure what P of T is and I’m not sure that anybody could

is and I’m not sure that anybody could

is and I’m not sure that anybody could glean it very easily from the figure

glean it very easily from the figure

glean it very easily from the figure legend bad way to do things what were

legend bad way to do things what were

legend bad way to do things what were they thinking now

they thinking now

they thinking now these bad examples that follow are my

these bad examples that follow are my

these bad examples that follow are my own no we never use these in an actual

own no we never use these in an actual

own no we never use these in an actual publication we were trying to compare

publication we were trying to compare

publication we were trying to compare two habu species

two habu species

two habu species southern Okinawa in terms of the

southern Okinawa in terms of the

southern Okinawa in terms of the composition of their venom gland

composition of their venom gland

composition of their venom gland transcriptomes the problem was that the

transcriptomes the problem was that the

transcriptomes the problem was that the different transcripts varied by more

different transcripts varied by more

different transcripts varied by more than six orders of magnitude in

than six orders of magnitude in

than six orders of magnitude in abundance

abundance

abundance that’s a difficult graphing problem so

that’s a difficult graphing problem so

that’s a difficult graphing problem so we first tried putting the abundant ones

we first tried putting the abundant ones

we first tried putting the abundant ones on scaled one way on the top and then we

on scaled one way on the top and then we

on scaled one way on the top and then we scaled them a different way on the

scaled them a different way on the

scaled them a different way on the bottom graph and it just didn’t work if

bottom graph and it just didn’t work if

bottom graph and it just didn’t work if you put the most abundant ones on scale

you put the most abundant ones on scale

you put the most abundant ones on scale you couldn’t see the less abundant ones

you couldn’t see the less abundant ones

you couldn’t see the less abundant ones and if you did the reverse and

and if you did the reverse and

and if you did the reverse and everything else was off scale on the top

everything else was off scale on the top

everything else was off scale on the top we also used identical figure our x-axis

we also used identical figure our x-axis

we also used identical figure our x-axis labels which didn’t tell you anything

labels which didn’t tell you anything

labels which didn’t tell you anything we used a and B which meant that the

we used a and B which meant that the

we used a and B which meant that the reader then had to refer to the legend

reader then had to refer to the legend

reader then had to refer to the legend to try to figure out what was being

to try to figure out what was being

to try to figure out what was being plotted this was a loser right from the

plotted this was a loser right from the

plotted this was a loser right from the get-go so we also toned down the lurid

get-go so we also toned down the lurid

get-go so we also toned down the lurid colors got rid of the a and B came up

colors got rid of the a and B came up

colors got rid of the a and B came up with new x-axis labels but the

with new x-axis labels but the

with new x-axis labels but the underlying problem was still there we

underlying problem was still there we

underlying problem was still there we just couldn’t get everything on scale so

just couldn’t get everything on scale so

just couldn’t get everything on scale so that made sense so one of my

that made sense so one of my

that made sense so one of my collaborator said well that’s easy

collaborator said well that’s easy

collaborator said well that’s easy use a logarithmic graph so we did okay

use a logarithmic graph so we did okay

use a logarithmic graph so we did okay everything’s on scale but the problem is

everything’s on scale but the problem is

everything’s on scale but the problem is that human beings don’t see things

that human beings don’t see things

that human beings don’t see things logarithmic ly you don’t try to gauge

logarithmic ly you don’t try to gauge

logarithmic ly you don’t try to gauge distances by powers of 10 we look at

distances by powers of 10 we look at

distances by powers of 10 we look at things arithmetic aliso yes everything’s

things arithmetic aliso yes everything’s

things arithmetic aliso yes everything’s on scale but it’s collapsed all the

on scale but it’s collapsed all the

on scale but it’s collapsed all the differences and so this really doesn’t

differences and so this really doesn’t

differences and so this really doesn’t communicate very well at all in the end

communicate very well at all in the end

communicate very well at all in the end the answer was that sometimes less is

the answer was that sometimes less is

the answer was that sometimes less is more we threw out the minor components

more we threw out the minor components

more we threw out the minor components and graphed only the major ones and then

and graphed only the major ones and then

and graphed only the major ones and then when you look at these two plots you can

when you look at these two plots you can

when you look at these two plots you can see boy those two Venom’s really are

see boy those two Venom’s really are

see boy those two Venom’s really are different we plotted only the major

different we plotted only the major

different we plotted only the major components and it was immediately

components and it was immediately

components and it was immediately obvious how they differed and of course

obvious how they differed and of course

obvious how they differed and of course when you think about it it’s the major

when you think about it it’s the major

when you think about it it’s the major components that determine what the venom

components that determine what the venom

components that determine what the venom does much more than the minor ones so

does much more than the minor ones so

does much more than the minor ones so biologically this made sense also few

biologically this made sense also few

biologically this made sense also few years later we had the same problem this

years later we had the same problem this

years later we had the same problem this time I arrived at a different solution

time I arrived at a different solution

time I arrived at a different solution these were venom gland transcriptomes

these were venom gland transcriptomes

these were venom gland transcriptomes from six brazilian coral snakes we

from six brazilian coral snakes we

from six brazilian coral snakes we plotted all the major components in the

plotted all the major components in the

plotted all the major components in the upper panel that is those were 2 percent

upper panel that is those were 2 percent

upper panel that is those were 2 percent or more of the the transcriptome and

or more of the the transcriptome and

or more of the the transcriptome and what was left over we plotted in black

what was left over we plotted in black

what was left over we plotted in black so

so

so those little black segments at the top

those little black segments at the top

those little black segments at the top are then represented in the bottom panel

are then represented in the bottom panel

are then represented in the bottom panel by the minor components and on top of

by the minor components and on top of

by the minor components and on top of all else not only did it communicate

all else not only did it communicate

all else not only did it communicate better but it was kind of pretty too

better but it was kind of pretty too

better but it was kind of pretty too best looking graph I ever made so I was

best looking graph I ever made so I was

best looking graph I ever made so I was happy with it

happy with it

happy with it this plot a Venn diagram also makes good

this plot a Venn diagram also makes good

this plot a Venn diagram also makes good use of color it’s easy to see the

use of color it’s easy to see the

use of color it’s easy to see the overlaps the numbers indicate what the

overlaps the numbers indicate what the

overlaps the numbers indicate what the office wanted to communicate the problem

office wanted to communicate the problem

office wanted to communicate the problem is the labeling of the ellipses in the

is the labeling of the ellipses in the

is the labeling of the ellipses in the Venn diagram and the figure legend don’t

Venn diagram and the figure legend don’t

Venn diagram and the figure legend don’t tell you very much about this this had

tell you very much about this this had

tell you very much about this this had to do with species of fungi that were

to do with species of fungi that were

to do with species of fungi that were and were not cultivated by leaf cutting

and were not cultivated by leaf cutting

and were not cultivated by leaf cutting ants in the tropics and so even though

ants in the tropics and so even though

ants in the tropics and so even though the use of color is good once again it’s

the use of color is good once again it’s

the use of color is good once again it’s particularly the legend that is

particularly the legend that is

particularly the legend that is problematic and the labels on the

problematic and the labels on the

problematic and the labels on the ellipses now then this was a very large

ellipses now then this was a very large

ellipses now then this was a very large table that violated the rules that I

table that violated the rules that I

table that violated the rules that I gave you earlier but I have to say in my

gave you earlier but I have to say in my

gave you earlier but I have to say in my own defense that in the first iteration

own defense that in the first iteration

own defense that in the first iteration we didn’t put this thing in the paper we

we didn’t put this thing in the paper we

we didn’t put this thing in the paper we put it in the supplementary material and

put it in the supplementary material and

put it in the supplementary material and you know what the reviewers never looked

you know what the reviewers never looked

you know what the reviewers never looked at it what was going on and it turned

at it what was going on and it turned

at it what was going on and it turned out as follows a collaborator had found

out as follows a collaborator had found

out as follows a collaborator had found a couple of high haboos in southern

a couple of high haboos in southern

a couple of high haboos in southern okinawa that appeared to be hybrids

okinawa that appeared to be hybrids

okinawa that appeared to be hybrids between two species and endemic and an

between two species and endemic and an

between two species and endemic and an invasive species on the island so we

invasive species on the island so we

invasive species on the island so we wanted to know first of all are they

wanted to know first of all are they

wanted to know first of all are they really hybrids and two what of the venom

really hybrids and two what of the venom

really hybrids and two what of the venom composition what of what are they

composition what of what are they

composition what of what are they producing so we plotted all this in a

producing so we plotted all this in a

producing so we plotted all this in a massive table first of all we had the

massive table first of all we had the

massive table first of all we had the transcriptomic data from the two

transcriptomic data from the two

transcriptomic data from the two putative parental species in green and

putative parental species in green and

putative parental species in green and blue on the two sides of the table and

blue on the two sides of the table and

blue on the two sides of the table and then we use proteomics to plot the venom

then we use proteomics to plot the venom

then we use proteomics to plot the venom compositions of two of the hybrids

compositions of two of the hybrids

compositions of two of the hybrids putative hybrids down the middle and

putative hybrids down the middle and

putative hybrids down the middle and wouldn’t you know the putative hybrids

wouldn’t you know the putative hybrids

wouldn’t you know the putative hybrids made every single venom protein in both

made every single venom protein in both

made every single venom protein in both of the putative parental Venom’s there

of the putative parental Venom’s there

of the putative parental Venom’s there was no question that they were hybrids

was no question that they were hybrids

was no question that they were hybrids but because we put this in the

but because we put this in the

but because we put this in the supplementary material and the reviewers

supplementary material and the reviewers

supplementary material and the reviewers and the editors didn’t look at it they

and the editors didn’t look at it they

and the editors didn’t look at it they came back and said you haven’t proven

came back and said you haven’t proven

came back and said you haven’t proven that they’re hybrids you should be

that they’re hybrids you should be

that they’re hybrids you should be counting scales and measuring snakes I

counting scales and measuring snakes I

counting scales and measuring snakes I thought you idiots that doesn’t prove

thought you idiots that doesn’t prove

thought you idiots that doesn’t prove anything

anything

anything you’re asking us to to count white and

you’re asking us to to count white and

you’re asking us to to count white and purple pea flowers when we’ve given you

purple pea flowers when we’ve given you

purple pea flowers when we’ve given you the gene sequences of the enzymes that

the gene sequences of the enzymes that

the gene sequences of the enzymes that make the pigments so the next time round

make the pigments so the next time round

make the pigments so the next time round when we went to another journal this

when we went to another journal this

when we went to another journal this went back into the paper the use of

went back into the paper the use of

went back into the paper the use of color did help okay it allowed you to

color did help okay it allowed you to

color did help okay it allowed you to track what was coming from each of the

track what was coming from each of the

track what was coming from each of the parental species in the the column in

parental species in the the column in

parental species in the the column in pink were things that could have come

pink were things that could have come

pink were things that could have come from either species that time the paper

from either species that time the paper

from either species that time the paper was accepted and published but a word of

was accepted and published but a word of

was accepted and published but a word of warning if you put color in a table

warning if you put color in a table

warning if you put color in a table which can be used very effectively as I

which can be used very effectively as I

which can be used very effectively as I just showed you many journals will say

just showed you many journals will say

just showed you many journals will say oh that’s not a table that’s a figure

oh that’s not a table that’s a figure

oh that’s not a table that’s a figure and you have to count it as such well go

and you have to count it as such well go

and you have to count it as such well go figure

figure

figure anyway so when you’re creating your

anyway so when you’re creating your

anyway so when you’re creating your figures first of all choose a plot style

figures first of all choose a plot style

figures first of all choose a plot style that’s appropriate to the data type

that’s appropriate to the data type

that’s appropriate to the data type don’t ever use XY plots for group data

don’t ever use XY plots for group data

don’t ever use XY plots for group data use color and use it effectively create

use color and use it effectively create

use color and use it effectively create a key that is clear legible and

a key that is clear legible and

a key that is clear legible and comprehensible so that your readers

comprehensible so that your readers

comprehensible so that your readers don’t go huh and then select line types

don’t go huh and then select line types

don’t go huh and then select line types thicknesses plot symbols and so on that

thicknesses plot symbols and so on that

thicknesses plot symbols and so on that don’t draw attention to themselves you

don’t draw attention to themselves you

don’t draw attention to themselves you want to keep the reader’s attention on

want to keep the reader’s attention on

want to keep the reader’s attention on the results and the results are found in

the results and the results are found in

the results and the results are found in the pattern of the data not in the

the pattern of the data not in the

the pattern of the data not in the elements that make up the figure with

elements that make up the figure with

elements that make up the figure with tables get critiques from other

tables get critiques from other

tables get critiques from other experienced investigators make your

experienced investigators make your

experienced investigators make your column headings clear and concise and if

column headings clear and concise and if

column headings clear and concise and if you feel so motivated go ahead and use

you feel so motivated go ahead and use

you feel so motivated go ahead and use shading and color fills to an advantage

shading and color fills to an advantage

shading and color fills to an advantage that is to help to communicate the data

that is to help to communicate the data

that is to help to communicate the data more effectively so as Peter grew said

more effectively so as Peter grew said

more effectively so as Peter grew said be courageous that is try something new

be courageous that is try something new

be courageous that is try something new be creative and communicate clearly