Want to learn how to display your data in a clear, concise, efficient graphic slide? By reviewing a before and after of the same information you will learn some basic principles for the display of quantitative information.

What I have noticed over the years is that many scientists take the table of data they initially created to collect the data (before they analyzed the results) and simply insert that exact same table into their documents and talks. However, often what is required is a entirely fresh presentation of the data so that conclusion is crystal clear.

It is very important to remember that although you are intimately familiar with research results your audience is NOT. Often, this will be their first look so you need to really think about the best possible way to communicate your message and NOT just data. Keep in mind, it is as usually just one aspect of the data that is interesting and your objective is clearly highlight and focus attention on this aspect.

For every seminar that I run, I work with participants ahead of time to collect samples and questions they may have. This first slide in this episode is the “before” slide that was recently submitted.

Here is what the presenter included as description of this slide…

This table shows some of the variables that were collected in this study. We combined the CT and TT genotype, in the any T group. T-allele carriers were more likely to have a lower BMI and had a higher prevalence of the CYP2C9 *2 or *3 allele, which is consistent with the association of these characteristics with Caucasian race.

So let’s look at the changes that were made in the after slide.

First, I am not a big fan of using institutional shields on slides. Why? Because all shields look very similiar and it does not…