When submitting a manuscript, many journals request that figures and tables be placed at the end of the text. However, as an author and also as a referee, I find this frustrating. What are your thoughts on the matter, am I the only person annoyed by this? Why do journals insist on it?
In general, tables or figures in journal papers are placed as near as possible to the place where you first refer to it (e.g., the next page) to provide a good paper presentation. However, all the illustrative materials are sometimes placed at the end of the results section so as to avoid interrupting the flow of text. The figures and tables may be embedded in the text, but avoid breaking up the text into small blocks; it is better to have whole pages of text with figures and tables on their own pages.
These questions should be answered by any of journal's members so as we understand what is their point of doing that. Lots of reviewers seem to be very frustrated from such organisation and this may affect on their decision made.
I don't find a valid reason of putting Fig. and Table at the end. However, one of my editor colleague said, once asked, that it helps during type setting stage and helpful in maintaining better quality Fig. But I was not convinced with.
Hi,
The journals where I have sent my papers demanded a separate file for tables, but did not insist on extracting the figures from the body of the text. The tables then appear at the end of the paper when a PDF file is formed, after the bibliography. I sometimes wondered about it, but this is probably a processing requirement, and it does not bother me much.
Thank you everyone for your responses. I understand the concerns about figure quality, I was just getting a little frustrated as a reviewer.
Usually in experimental procedure to explain about them and easy to understand when reading paper.
Hi Prof Black,
When you can understand the main points in the manuscript text without figures and tables, thus the writing quality is so good. Therefore, that may help to develop your decision as a reviewer! Thanks.
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