title:         Using Graphs Instead of Tables to Improve the Presentation of Empirical Results in Political Science
authors:       Jonathan Kastellec, Eduardo  Leoni
entrydate:     2006-11-15 08:58:34
keywords:      statistical graphics, tables, presentation, descriptive statistics, regression results
abstract:      When political scientists present empirical results, they are much more likely to use tables rather than graphs, despite the fact that the latter greatly increases the clarity of presentation and makes it easier for a reader or listener to draw clear and correct inferences.  Using a sample of leading journals, we document this tendency and suggest reasons why researchers prefer tables.  We argue the extra work required in producing graphs is rewarded by greatly enhanced presentation and communication of empirical results.  We illustrate their benefits by turning several published tables into graphs, including tables that present descriptive data and regression results.  We show that regression graphs properly
emphasize point estimates and confidence intervals rather than null significance hypothesis testing, and that they can successfully present the results of multiple regression models.  A move away from tables and towards graphs would increase the quality of the discipline's communicative output and make empirical findings more accessible to every type of audience.

http://polmeth.wustl.edu/retrieve.php?id=662

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