I. Clarity and Accuracy:
* Accuracy of Data Representation: The figure must accurately reflect the data presented. No manipulation should misrepresent the results. Error bars, confidence intervals, and other indicators of uncertainty should be clearly displayed.
* Clear and Concise Message: The figure should tell a story on its own, without requiring extensive explanation in the text. Its purpose should be immediately apparent. Avoid clutter and unnecessary details.
* Legibility: All labels, axes, legends, and text must be easily readable, even at reduced size in the printed or online version. Font sizes should be appropriate for the figure size and resolution.
* Appropriate Scale and Units: Axes should be clearly labeled with appropriate units and scales. Data ranges should be chosen to effectively highlight the key findings.
* Correct Use of Symbols and Colors: Symbols and colors should be distinguishable and consistently used throughout the figure and across multiple figures if applicable. Consider colorblindness when choosing colors. Provide a legend explaining the meaning of each symbol or color.
II. Aesthetics and Presentation:
* Professional Appearance: The overall appearance should be clean, uncluttered, and consistent with the journal's style guidelines. Avoid unnecessary ornamentation.
* Consistent Style: Maintain consistent formatting (fonts, font sizes, colors, line styles) throughout the figure and across all figures in the paper.
* High Resolution: Figures should be created at a high enough resolution (e.g., 300 DPI for print, at least 600 DPI for very detailed figures) to prevent pixelation or blurring when printed or displayed online. Vector formats (e.g., AI, EPS, SVG) are generally preferred.
* Appropriate Figure Type: Choose the most appropriate figure type (e.g., bar chart, scatter plot, line graph, image, schematic) to best represent the data.
* Effective Use of White Space: Avoid overcrowding elements. Strategic use of whitespace improves readability and enhances the overall aesthetic.
III. Completeness and Compliance:
* Complete and Self-Contained: The figure should be understandable on its own, without relying on the text for crucial information. All necessary labels and legends should be included.
* Adherence to Journal Guidelines: Check the journal's instructions for authors regarding figure formatting, size, resolution, file types, and caption requirements.
* Proper Citation of Sources: If the figure includes images or data from other sources, these must be properly cited and permission obtained where necessary.
* Data Availability: Consider providing underlying data to enhance transparency and reproducibility (check journal policies).
IV. Software and Tools:
* Appropriate Software: Use professional-grade software (e.g., Adobe Illustrator, CorelDRAW, GraphPad Prism) designed for creating publication-quality figures. Avoid using basic spreadsheet software unless it produces results meeting all the above criteria.
* Version Control: Keep track of different versions of your figures to avoid confusion and ensure you submit the final, approved version.
By carefully considering these criteria at each stage of figure creation, researchers can significantly improve the quality and impact of their publications. Remember to always prioritize clarity, accuracy, and adherence to journal guidelines.