Module Components

• Overview
• Assignment

Topics

• Results
• Discussion
• Conclusion
• Abstract
• Tables & Figures
• Squire Guidelines
• From Proposal to Manuscript
• Published DNP Project Manuscripts

NDNP 813 - DNP Project Evaluation and Dissemination

Module 4: DNP Project Manuscript

Tables & Figures

Generally, a simple presentational format is best with tables and figures just as it is with words and sentences in the main text of a manuscript. These guidelines may help to present data in tables and figures with maximum clarity.

• Each separate table/figure should “stand alone” and be fully understandable without the reader needing to refer back to the text.
• Refer to all tables and figures in the text, for example (Table 1) or Figure 2 shows that…
• Table 1 should be the Evidence Review Table that was first developed with the Literature Review. Check that it is updated and that no major studies have been published since you last reviewed completed the table.

Formatting Tables/Figures:

• Number tables and figures in separate sequences, e.g. Tables 1 and 2, etc.; Figures 1 and 2, etc.
• Do not put tables or figures within the text. Place them after the references. The order of items is as follows: references, table, figures, appendices.
• Place the table or figure number above the table or figure in bold font.
• Place the table or figure title one double-spaced line below the table/figure number.
• Give each table or figure a brief but descriptive title, and capitalize the title in italic title case.

• For DNP project manuscripts, do not place the tables within the appendices.
• Avoid abbreviations in tables unless essential. If essential, then state the terms in full in a footnote to the table, even if you have already explained them in the text.

Figure 1.

Nurse Perceptions of bedside report (1 = Strongly Disagree, 5 = Strongly Agree)

• Each table/figure should be on a separate page in the manuscript.
• Do not put a ‘box’ around tables and figures.
• Give the sample size in the table, i.e. n = xx
• Make sure that numbers, especially if they have decimal points, line up properly in tables. Using right justification for these columns is the easiest way to do this.
• Round figures to 2 decimal places, except for statistical significance levels.
• Give column and row totals where appropriate.