How to Present Lab Results in Text, Tables, and Figures

By Dr. Zubair Khalid, DVM, MS, PhD · 2026-08-27

Quick Answer

• Decide placement by data role: text states the main finding, tables store exact values, figures reveal patterns or comparisons.
• Use the decision rule that each piece of data appears once, in the format that best serves its purpose, and reference it from the text.
• A key limitation is that journal or instructor guidelines may override general best practice, so check the target outlet before formatting.

Why Data Placement Matters in Lab Reports

The way you present lab results shapes how readers interpret your work. A well structured results section guides the reader through your findings without forcing them to cross reference multiple formats. Poor placement creates redundancy, buries key findings, and makes reviewers question the rigor of the work.

In academic and professional settings, transparent reporting is a core expectation. The EQUATOR Network provides reporting guidelines that help authors decide what information belongs in each section of a manuscript. These guidelines exist because unclear presentation leads to misinterpretation and reduces the value of research.

The Committee on Publication Ethics core practices emphasize that authors must present data honestly and completely. This includes choosing the right format for each type of result. When you place data correctly, you demonstrate that you understand your own findings and respect the reader's time.

At a Glance: Choosing the Right Format

Core Principles of Results Presentation

One Format for Each Piece of Data

The most common mistake in lab reports is presenting the same data in multiple formats. If you state a mean value in the text, put the full data set in a table, and then graph the same values, you force the reader to compare three versions of the same numbers. This wastes space and creates opportunities for transcription errors.

Choose the single format that serves the data best. Text highlights the finding. Tables store the values. Figures show the pattern. Then refer to the chosen format from the text so the reader knows where to look.

Text States Findings, Not Raw Data

The text portion of your results should state what you found, not list every number. A sentence like "the treatment group showed higher growth than the control group" tells the reader the outcome. Adding the exact mean and standard deviation in the same sentence is acceptable when those are the only numbers. Listing ten values in a paragraph is not.

The text should also point the reader to the table or figure where the full data appear. For example, "the treatment group showed higher growth than the control group (Table 1)" directs the reader without repeating the table contents.

Tables Store Exact Values

Tables are the right home for data that readers may need to look up individually. This includes means, standard deviations, sample sizes, and statistical test results. A well designed table lets the reader find a specific value quickly.

Design tables so each row and column has a clear label. Include units in the column headers instead of repeating them in every cell. Use consistent decimal places so the reader can compare values easily.

Figures Show Patterns

Figures are the right choice when the relationship between variables matters more than the individual values. A line graph shows a trend over time. A bar chart compares groups. A scatter plot reveals correlation.

Label axes clearly with the variable name and units. Include a legend when multiple series appear. Choose a figure type that matches the data structure instead of one that looks impressive.

Practical Workflow for Results Presentation

Step 1: List Every Result You Need to Report

Start by writing down every measurement, calculation, and statistical test result from your experiment. This list becomes your inventory. Do not decide the format yet. Just capture everything that a reader would need to verify your conclusions.

Step 2: Identify the Main Finding

Look at your inventory and identify the one or two results that directly answer your research question. These belong in the text. If you cannot identify a main finding, you may need to revisit your analysis before writing.

Step 3: Group the Remaining Data by Purpose

Sort the rest of your inventory into two groups. The first group contains exact values that a reader might want to look up. The second group contains data that show relationships or comparisons. The first group goes into tables. The second group goes into figures.

Step 4: Build the Tables and Figures First

Create your tables and figures before writing the text. This forces you to see the data in their final form. You may discover that a table is too dense or a figure does not show the pattern you expected. Fix these problems before you write around them.

Step 5: Write the Text to Guide the Reader

Write the results text after the tables and figures are final. Each paragraph should state a finding, point to the supporting table or figure, and move on. Do not repeat the contents of the table or figure in the text.

Step 6: Check for Redundancy

Review the complete results section and confirm that each piece of data appears in exactly one format. If you find the same value in the text and a table, remove it from one place. The only exception is a single key value that you state in the text and also show in a table for context.

Records and Measurements That Belong in Tables

Descriptive Statistics

Descriptive statistics summarize your data set. Means, medians, standard deviations, and ranges are the most common examples. These values belong in a table when you have multiple groups or conditions to compare.

A table of descriptive statistics should include the sample size for each group. This tells the reader how much confidence to place in each value. A mean based on three observations is less reliable than one based on thirty.

Test Statistics

Statistical test results include the test statistic, degrees of freedom, and p value. These belong in a table when you run multiple tests. A table lets the reader see all test results at once and compare them.

Include the test name in the table so the reader knows which test produced each result. A p value without a test name is meaningless.

Raw Data

Raw data are the individual measurements you collected before any analysis. These are often too extensive for the main text. Put them in a supplementary file or appendix when the journal or instructor allows it.

The NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy describes expectations for preserving and sharing research data. Even when raw data go in a supplement, you should plan for how they will be stored and made available to other researchers.

Patterns and Comparisons That Belong in Figures

Trends Over Time

When you measure a variable at multiple time points, a line graph shows the trend clearly. The reader can see whether the values increased, decreased, or stayed stable. This pattern is difficult to grasp from a table of numbers.

Plot time on the horizontal axis and the measured variable on the vertical axis. Include error bars when you have multiple observations at each time point.

Group Comparisons

When you compare two or more groups, a bar chart or box plot shows the differences. The reader can see which group has the highest value and how much spread exists within each group.

Choose a bar chart for simple comparisons of means. Choose a box plot when you want to show the distribution of values within each group.

Relationships Between Variables

When you want to show how two variables relate to each other, a scatter plot is the standard choice. Each point represents one observation. The pattern of points shows whether the variables move together.

Add a trend line only when you have performed a regression analysis. The trend line should represent the fitted model, not a freehand guess.

Common Failure Patterns in Results Presentation

Repeating Data in Every Format

Some writers state a value in the text, include it in a table, and then plot it in a figure. This triple presentation confuses the reader and suggests the writer does not trust any single format. Choose one format and use it consistently.

Tables That Are Too Dense

A table with dozens of columns and rows becomes unreadable. The reader cannot find the value they need. Split the table into smaller tables or move some data to a supplementary file.

Figures Without Clear Labels

A figure without labeled axes is useless. The reader cannot tell what the figure shows. Always label both axes with the variable name and units. Add a legend when the figure contains more than one series.

Text That Lists Numbers

A paragraph that reads like a data dump forces the reader to decode the text instead of understanding the finding. State the finding and point to the table or figure. Do not narrate every value.

Ignoring the Target Outlet Guidelines

Journals and instructors often have specific requirements for results presentation. Some prefer tables over figures. Others require a certain figure format. Check the guidelines before you finalize your work. The EQUATOR Network provides a searchable database of reporting guidelines that can help you identify the relevant standards for your field.

Welfare and Safety Context for Animal Research Data

When your lab work involves animals, data presentation carries additional responsibilities. The National Library of Medicine hosts research methods resources that address ethical conduct in animal studies. Transparent reporting of animal data supports reproducibility and helps reviewers assess whether the study was conducted humanely.

Report animal numbers carefully. Include the number of animals in each group, any exclusions, and the reasons for those exclusions. This information belongs in the results section or a flow diagram, not buried in the methods.

If an animal dies or is removed from the study, report it. Hiding exclusions undermines the integrity of your results. The Committee on Publication Ethics core practices treat data integrity as a fundamental expectation for all published work.

Professional Escalation Criteria

When to Ask for Help

If you cannot decide whether a result belongs in text, a table, or a figure, ask your instructor, supervisor, or a colleague. A second reader can often see the clearest format faster than the person who analyzed the data.

If your results section is so long that you are repeating yourself, stop writing and restructure. A results section that rambles suggests the analysis is not focused.

When to Consult a Statistician

If you are unsure which statistical test to run or how to report the results, consult a statistician before you create your tables and figures. A statistician can help you choose the right test and the right presentation format.

If your statistical results are surprising or counterintuitive, verify them before you write. A statistician can check your analysis and confirm that you have not made a calculation error.

When to Review Reporting Guidelines

If you are preparing a manuscript for publication, review the relevant reporting guideline before you write. The EQUATOR Network helps authors find the right guideline for their study type. Following the guideline from the start saves time compared to restructuring after submission.

Limitations of Format Choice

Text Cannot Show Complex Patterns

Text is a poor medium for showing relationships among many variables. A sentence can state that two variables are correlated, but a figure shows the shape of that correlation. Do not force text to do the work of a figure.

Tables Cannot Show Trends Easily

A table of values over time is difficult to interpret. The reader must scan each row and mentally construct the trend. A line graph shows the same data in a form the eye can process quickly.

Figures Lose Exact Values

A figure shows the shape of the data but not the exact values. The reader cannot read a precise mean from a bar chart. If exact values matter, provide them in a table or the text.

Supplementary Files Reduce Visibility

Data placed in a supplementary file are less likely to be read than data in the main text. Use supplementary files for raw data and extensive tables, but keep the results that support your conclusions in the main text.

Institutional and Funding Context

NIH Grant Applications

If your lab work is funded by the NIH, your data management practices matter for your grant. The NIH Grants and Funding pages describe the expectations for grant applications and awards. Your results presentation should align with the data management plan you submitted with your application.

Data Management Plans

The NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy requires researchers to plan for data preservation and sharing. Your results section should reference where the full data set will be available. This supports transparency and allows other researchers to verify your findings.

Researcher Identity and Data Attribution

When you publish results, your researcher identity should be clearly linked to your work. ORCID provides a persistent identifier that connects you to your publications and datasets. Including your ORCID in your manuscript helps readers and reviewers verify your research record.

Building a Results Section That Works

Start With the Analysis

Before you write a single sentence, complete your statistical analysis. You cannot decide what belongs in the text until you know what your data show. Run the tests, examine the output, and understand what each result means.

Create the Visuals

Build your tables and figures from the analysis output. Check each table for clarity and each figure for readability. Show them to a colleague and ask whether the message is clear without your explanation.

Write the Text Last

Write the results text after the tables and figures are final. Each paragraph should state one finding and point to the supporting visual. Keep the text short. The tables and figures carry the detail.

Review the Whole Section

Read the complete results section as a reader would. Can you follow the story without flipping back and forth? Does each table and figure have a clear purpose? Is any data repeated unnecessarily?

A Decision Matrix for Matching Data Type to Presentation Format

Beyond the general rule that text states findings, tables store values, and figures show patterns, students need a repeatable method for sorting each result into its correct home. The following decision matrix works as a checklist that you can apply to every result in your inventory before you write a single sentence.

The Four Question Test

Ask these four questions about each result in your inventory. The answers determine the format.

Question 1: Does this result directly answer the research question?

If yes, the result belongs in the text. This is the finding your reader came to see. State it clearly and point to the supporting table or figure. If no, the result supports the analysis but does not carry the main argument. It belongs in a table, figure, or supplementary file.

Question 2: Does the reader need the exact value?

If the reader must know the precise number to verify your work or use it in their own analysis, the value belongs in a table. Tables preserve exactness. Figures approximate values through visual position. A reader cannot read a mean of 23.7 from a bar chart, but they can read it from a table cell.

Question 3: Does the reader need to see a relationship or pattern?

If the result shows how a variable changes over time, how groups compare, or how two variables relate, a figure serves the reader best. The eye processes visual patterns faster than rows of numbers. If the pattern matters more than the individual values, choose a figure.

Question 4: Does the reader need this data to evaluate the study, but not to understand the main finding?

If the data supports transparency and reproducibility but does not directly advance the argument, place it in a supplementary file or appendix. Raw measurements, full datasets, and extensive secondary analyses belong here. The NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy describes expectations for preserving and sharing such data so that other researchers can verify your findings.

Applying the Matrix to Common Result Types

The table below shows how the four question test sorts common result types.

Handling Results That Trigger Multiple Questions

Some results will trigger more than one question. A primary outcome may need both an exact value and a pattern. In this case, state the exact value in the text and create a figure that shows the pattern. The text carries the number. The figure carries the visual relationship. The table is not needed because the text already provides the exact value.

A secondary outcome may need both exact values and a comparison across groups. Put the exact values in a table. If the comparison across groups is simple, the table shows it. If the comparison involves many groups or time points, add a figure and keep the table for the exact values.

Recording Your Format Decisions

Create a format decision log before you build your tables and figures. This log is a simple list with four columns: result name, research question answered, format chosen, and reason. Write one row for each result in your inventory.

The log serves two purposes. First, it forces you to justify each format choice before you invest time in creating the visual. Second, it gives you a reference when you review the final results section for redundancy. If the same result appears in two rows with different formats, you have a duplication problem.

A sample log entry looks like this:

Troubleshooting When the Matrix Does Not Fit

The four question test works for most results, but some data will not fit cleanly. When this happens, apply the tiebreaker rule: choose the format that serves the reader with the least effort.

If you cannot decide between a table and a figure, ask which format lets the reader understand the result faster. A reader scanning a table must compare numbers across rows and columns. A reader viewing a figure sees the pattern immediately. When speed of understanding matters, choose the figure. When precision matters, choose the table.

If you cannot decide between text and a table, ask whether the result is central enough to state directly. Text should carry only the findings that answer the research question. Everything else goes to a table. If you find yourself writing a paragraph that lists multiple values, stop and move those values to a table.

Checking Your Decisions Against Reporting Guidelines

After you apply the matrix and build your visuals, check your format choices against the reporting guideline for your study type. The EQUATOR Network provides a searchable database of reporting guidelines organized by study design. These guidelines often specify which results must appear in the text, which belong in tables, and which should be presented as figures.

The Committee on Publication Ethics core practices emphasize that authors must present data honestly and completely. The decision matrix supports this expectation by ensuring that every result appears in exactly one format, which reduces the risk of transcription errors and accidental misrepresentation.

A Worked Example

Consider a study that measures blood pressure in three groups of animals at four time points. The inventory contains the following results: mean blood pressure for each group at each time point, standard deviations, a repeated measures ANOVA result, and a line graph of blood pressure over time.

Apply the four question test. The main finding is whether blood pressure differs between groups. This goes in the text. The exact means and standard deviations for each group at each time point go in a table. The line graph shows the trend over time and goes in a figure. The ANOVA result goes in the table with the other test statistics. The raw blood pressure measurements for each animal go in a supplementary file.

The format decision log records each choice. The text states the main finding and references the table and figure. The table provides exact values. The figure shows the pattern. No data appears twice.

When the Matrix Reveals a Problem

Sometimes the matrix reveals that you have too many results to present clearly. If your inventory produces ten tables and eight figures, the analysis is too broad or the presentation is fragmented. Consolidate related results into single tables or figures. Combine multiple time point measurements into one figure with multiple lines. Combine related test statistics into one table.

If the matrix produces a results section where the text has no clear main finding, revisit the analysis. A results section without a central finding suggests the research question was not specific enough or the analysis did not address it directly. The National Library of Medicine hosts research methods resources that can help you refine your analysis approach before you continue writing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I decide between a table and a figure for my data?

Use a table when the reader needs exact values they can look up individually. Use a figure when the reader needs to see a pattern, trend, or comparison. If the exact numbers matter more than the shape of the data, choose a table. If the relationship matters more than the individual values, choose a figure.

Can I put the same data in both a table and a figure?

Avoid presenting the same data in both formats. Choose the format that serves the data best and use it once. Repeating data in multiple formats wastes space and creates opportunities for errors. The only exception is a single key value that you state in the text and also show in a table for context.

How much detail should go in the results text?

The text should state your findings and point to the supporting tables and figures. It should not list every value. A sentence like "the treatment group showed higher growth than the control group (Table 1)" is sufficient. Save the detailed numbers for the table.

What belongs in a supplementary file?

Raw data, extensive tables, and additional analyses that support but are not central to your conclusions belong in a supplementary file. The main text should contain the results that directly answer your research question. Supplementary files preserve transparency without cluttering the main text.

Should I report statistical test results in the text or a table?

Report test statistics in a table when you have multiple tests. A table lets the reader see all results at once. If you have only one or two tests, you can state them in the text. Include the test name, test statistic, degrees of freedom, and p value.

What do I do if my results section is too long?

A long results section usually means you are repeating data in multiple formats or including data that do not support your conclusions. Review each paragraph and ask whether it states a finding or lists numbers. Move raw data to a supplementary file. Cut any data that do not help the reader understand your main result.

How do journal guidelines affect my format choices?

Journal guidelines may specify whether tables or figures are preferred, how many visuals are allowed, and what format they must follow. Check the guidelines before you finalize your work. The EQUATOR Network provides reporting guidelines that can help you identify the relevant standards for your study type.

What should I do if a reviewer asks me to change my format?

Review the reviewer comment carefully and decide whether the requested change improves the presentation. If it does, make the change. If you disagree, explain your reasoning in your response letter. Reviewers often catch redundancy or unclear presentation that you missed because you were close to the data.

Related Articles

• Data Presentation in Research: Tables, Figures, and Text
• How to Present Data in Research Papers: Methods, Tables, and Figures
• Qualitative Data Analysis: Coding, Theming, and Interpretation
• Bioinformatics vs Data Science: Which Career Is Right for You?
• Bioinformatics vs. Computational Biology: What's the Difference (and Which Should You Choose)?

References and Further Reading

• Research Methods Resources. National Library of Medicine.
• EQUATOR Network. EQUATOR Network.
• Core Practices. Committee on Publication Ethics.
• NIH Grants and Funding. National Institutes of Health.
• ORCID for Researchers. ORCID.
• Data Management and Sharing Policy. National Institutes of Health.
• NCBI Literature Resources. National Center for Biotechnology Information.
• PubMed. National Library of Medicine.

This article is educational and does not replace institutional policy, professional advice, or applicable safety and regulatory requirements.