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AMA FORMATTING Figures and Tables

FIGURES AND TABLES
Figures and tables are important ways to display a lot of information in a small space.
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Text should be used to discuss small amounts of data and is simple.

AMA Style-Figures and Tables Figures are useful to display complex data and can show trends and patterns.

Tables display quantitative data with exact values.

Objectives
Figures and tables are also used to explain results and to support the findings of the study.
This lecture will explain the specifics and nuances of AMA formatting for figures and tables.
 

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Tables Table Components (4.1.3)

Tables are a great way to display quantitative data, however, there are some rules that we encourage students to follow that best
utilize the incorporation of tables in their capstone projects. For example, if your capstone project contains a small population (<5
patients), it might be appropriate to show raw data from a planning study to compare obtained planning objectives. However, if you
have a large population (>5 patients), it wouldn't be advantageous to display raw data from planning objectives but rather determine
the mean value for the desired planning objective and display the data accordingly. The display of raw data could make the table too
large for your paper and distract the reader from important points of your study. Tables are referenced in-text by parentheses
(Example: " ... ..... (Table 1)." and are listed in the order they are referenced in the text.
 
 
There are basic components and requirements for every table with some allowed freedoms to explore table styles. The basic
components include:
Table number and title (or caption)
Titles should be brief and specific and should be written as a complete thought (not fragmented) but don't need to be a
complete sentence. Titles are located ABOVE the table. The first letter of each word of importance is also capitalized.
Table numbers are bolded and followed by a period and the table title is single spaced .
Column and Row Headings
Each heading should describe the data listed in each row or column concisely. The headings should be written in Times
New Roman font, size 12 (some exceptions exist for font size and should be address situationally). Row headings
should be left aligned while column headings should be centered in the column. Column headings are bolded and
should contain the unit of the column if applicable (ex: Gy, cm, ect)
Field and Data Cells
This is where the data is presented. Each cell contains a value that is intersected by a column and row. Blank data cells
should be avoided. N/A is acceptable if the data did not apply in special circumstances. Data should be centered in the
column and row.

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Table Components Rules of a Table

The table section is located after "Figures." It should start on a new page with a center and bolded heading called "Tables."
The table and table title should be left-aligned on the page.
Alignment of data
All row headings and cells are horizontally aligned
Column headings should be centered over the column
Data should be centered in the column and row
Tables should be submitted without shading and are manually removed during the editing process
Footnotes are used to describe information about the entire table, parts of the table or a particular table entry
Footnotes may be used to describe abbreviations that are first presented in the table
Footnotes that pertain to the entire table should be placed after the table title
Footnotes that pertain to part of the table (to a row or column) should be placed after the specified row or table
Footnotes that pertain to a single entry should be placed after that entry
All footnotes are indicated by a superscript, lowercase letter
Refer to Example Table 4. 1-5. on pg. 119 for complete foot note example
All vertical lines should be removed from the table

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Figures Rules of a Figure

Figures display graphical data including statistical graphs, maps, algorithms, illustrations, computer generated images and
photographs. Examples of figures that you might use in your capstone project include setup photos, plan screenshots and statistical
graphs. The figures section is located after "References." It should start on a new page with a center and bolded heading called
"Figures."
Statistical Graphs
Includes line graphs, survival plots, scatterplots, histogram and frequency polygons, bar graphs, component bar graph, pie chart and
dot (point) graphs. Pages 98-106 show examples of each of these types of graphs  
The figure and captions should be left-aligned on the page.
All figure captions are located under the figure and written in complete sentence and finished with a period.
Example: Figure 1. This is an example of a figure caption.
All captions are single spaced
You should reference a figure in-text similar to referencing a table.
If you decide to include a setup photo, you must block out any identifying patient information. This includes the patient's
face and any body identifiers such as a tattoo. The box that you use to block out this information should be fused to
the image so that the block and the photo cannot be separated. Violation of this rule is a serious violation of HIPAA.

If you decide to include a screenshot of a treatment plan, you must zoom in on the image to area of interest. Images are
Diagrams printed small in the journal so it's imperative that the reader can see what
you are referencing. For example, if you are showing a dose distribution for
Includes flowchart, decision tree, algorithm, pedigree a left-sided lung plan, you should zoom in on the tumor volume on left side
excluding the right side of the patient. In addition, traditional screenshots of
  dose from a treatment planning system display a very small dose legend.
The figure should be manipulated to display the dose legend appropriately
 
or if it is not possible to enlarge the legend, it should be removed and the
doses described in the image caption.
***Notice that the PTV is in colorwash . This makes the target much easier
to see through the isodose lines.

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Rules of a Figure (continued) Rules of a Figure (continued)

Two images that are similar can be combined into a single figure to conserve space in a journal. The figures should be labeled For statistical figures, the legend and axis labels should appear in Times New Roman, size 12 font.
(A) and (B) and written that way in the caption.

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Rules of a Figure (continued)

If you choose to include a DVH in your paper, you must make the image clear! Here are some rules of a DVH figure:
​
Only display the lines that you are interested in as a researcher (For example, if you are only studying PTV coverage, do not
turn on OAR).
Each line on the DVH must be labeled directly on the image, there is no legend at the bottom of the figure. There are no
requirements for the labels, just as long as they are clearly legible.
The background can be black or white (But make sure the reader can see the lines clearly - use bright colors!)

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