Graphs in Scientific Publications

Graphical communication in scientific publications can be improved; a detailed analysis of all graphs in one volume of Science revealed that 30% had errors.Graphs are used more in some disciplines than in others; a survey of 57 journals revealed natural science journals use far more graphs than mathematical or social science journals.Usage studies such as these provide important information for developing four other areas: new graphical methods for data presentation, guidelines, software, and human graphical perception.