When Your Research Paper Needs a Table

All instructions on how to write a research paper diligently shout about the necessity of writing a research paper in the simplest way, so that even a child can figure it out. For that purpose, the very same instructions on how to write a research paper suggest using simple grammar structures, active voice and so on.

But the most effective tool for writing a comprehensive research paper is often overlooked…

It turns out that the key to writing a light research paper is the use of tables. The proper use of tables in a research paper can illustrate complicated relationships more clearly and in less space than the written word. Moreover, data tables are very important in that they can make your research paper stand out from the crowd.

So, do not lose the chance to learn the instructions on how to write a research paper with tables and stick to the following rules:

#1. The Purpose of Tables

Tables are meant to present original and complete information, which was previously mentioned in the body of the research paper and is clarified in the body of the table. It means that tables should not repeat previously mentioned data. Be sure to avoid this mistake when writing a research paper.

You should use a table each time you need to present numerical values or summarize/emphasize verbal material. However, if information can be conveyed clearly and succinctly without use of figures or graphs, go without tables in your research paper. They would be out of place.

Moreover, the number of tables in a research paper should not exceed five. Elsewise, you risk creating badly organized parts.

#2. The Title of the Table

Tables, as well as other parts of a research paper, should have enough information to make them understandable on their own. The proven way to achieve the result is to place a table header that is substantival in grammar form and has no relative clauses in favour of participles.

Thus, it is better to say “Families Watching News Regularly” rather than “Number of Families that Watch News Regularly.”

If you want to include a subheading for the table header, write it in parentheses, as research paper format tells.

#3. Contents of the Table

Make the contents of the table concise. A table with too much of information is likely to confuse the reader. Thus, you should include only the most important information and avoid using minor facts that can be left out. Try to find the golden mean, when the table is complete but not complex.

#4. Numeration of Tables

Tables should be numbered consecutively, one after another. Every table of your research paper should be numbered with an Arabic numeral. Be sure to give each table a title, even though there may be few tables in the paper. Place the table number above the table at the left margin; add a period and continue with the title.

You must know that tables in an appendix should be numbered separately from the tables in the text, like A1, A2, and so on.

When proofreading your research paper, do not forget to check tables for internal consistency and agreement with the rest of the paper.  Make sure that table numbers in the text match the actual table numbers.

#5. Where to Place Tables

Each table should come as close as possible after the first reference to it. If space permits, it is best to finish the paragraph of the text in which the reference occurs before inserting the table. If a table in the research paper cannot be accommodated in the space remaining on a given page, continue the text to make a full page and place the table at the top of the next page.

Each table in your research paper must be centred horizontally on the page. If a table is very long and narrow, you can save some space and enhance the appearance by doubling it up – dividing the table into equal parts and placing them side by side. In this case a vertical rule should separate the two sides.

A table that is too wide to be accommodated broadside may be arranged vertically on two facing pages. Even a better solution is to print out the table in smaller type or reduce a standard printout photographically.

Long tables may be continued from page to page of your research paper. It should be done according to research paper format. Namely, column headings should be repeated on every page; the table number and the title should be placed at the beginning of the table; the bottom rule is omitted except on the last page, at the end of the table.

By the end of your research paper writing, make sure that all abbreviations are defined and the units of measurement are indicated. Do not forget to explain all empty spaces or dashes.

Now that you’ve read these instructions on how to write a research paper with tables and committed them to memory, you are sure to succeed in writing an easily understandable research paper.