Guide to Research Using Journal Articles: Reading Figures

Figures

Graphs

According to the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association there are five different functions of figures, the first two of which will be discussed below:

• Drawings
• Graphs
• Charts
• Maps
• Photographs

Drawings

The figure to the right represents a visual interpretation of a satellite dish receiving radio waves and the computer receiving those signals and converting them into an audible signal.

When confronted with a figure or graphic, what should you know about interpreting the content?

 It may help to actually write out and re-read a quick narrative when first looking at the diagram to assess whether you understand the diagram and whether it will be useful to your research. 

• Look at the entire figure
• Read the labels
• Read any keys/legends, captions or explanations
• Look for the starting point and the flow of the diagram (arrows can often serve as a visual cue)
 

Graphs

The graph example to the right is part of the graph wizard in Microsoft Excel. It illustrates the relationships between data. 

The x-axis (horizontal) represents percentage; the y-axis (vertical) represents dollars. 

The most common chart types used in journals include

•  Column -- Each column is proportional to the value it represents
•  Bar -- Each bar is proportional to the value it represents
•  Line -- Similar to the graph example above
•  Pie -- Each "slice" represents the proportion of one component to another
•  Scatter -- Each dot is relational to all other dots and can show frequency