CHECKLIST FOR GRAPH DRAWING

Make sure that you consider the following items for every graph you draw. Each graph should have: 1. A TITLE - to indicate clearly and without reference to your text, what the graph represents. Most titles make specific reference to the (two) variables plotted on the graph. e.g. Figure 1: Plot of absorbance at 540nm against concentration of reducing sugar. 2. SPACE - make appropriate use of your graph paper - design your graph to fill the available space, but without crowding your labels into the edge of the paper. Use at least half a page of A4 paper per graph. 3. AXES - with labels to show which variable is represented on the X (horizontal) and Y (vertical) axis. The dependent variable is usually represented on the Y axis. Scales should be chosen to make drawing and interpretation straightforward. Each axis must show the appropriate numerical scale used, together with the location of individual numbers ('tic' marks). Any scale breaks must be clearly shown, where appropriate. Each axis must also show the units of measurement, either in brackets or separated from the descriptive label by a 'backslash' ( / ). 4. DATA - the coordinates of every data value must be clearly represented. If more than one set of results is to be shown, each data set must have a different symbol. The symbols must indicate the exact location of each data point. 5. A KEY - to identify all of the symbols used, where more than one set of data is plotted on a graph. 6. A TREND LINE - for each set of data points. Draw the line of best fit by eye, or use an appropriate mathematical/statistical model, where appropriate. You should normally draw smoothed curves - 'join the dots' only when it is valid to do so ('joining the dots' should not be your default response - it is often less appropriate than a smoothed curve). The golden rule is: ALWAYS DRAW THE SIMPLEST LINE THAT FITS THE DATA REASONABLY WELL AND IS BIOLOGICALLY REASONABLE 7. EXTRAPOLATION - if appropriate, extrapolation should be shown as a dotted line in contrast to the solid line for the plotted curve (interpolation). 8. FOOTNOTES - if necessary, add descriptive footnotes to provide additional information/detail/explanation (e.g. to allow the graph to be self-contained, without direct reference to your text).