Question about formatting in a thesis

[Orrex]

(I also posted this in the Lounge, but it seemed like a good idea to post here, too.)

I'm assisting a friend who is, believe it or not, even more clueless than I am in this regard.

He's finalizing his thesis on bacterial cultures, and he has a number of flowchart-style graphics that he'd like to incorportate inline, but this presents a few small difficulties.

Overall the document is formatted in "portrait," but several of the charts pretty much have to be landscape. I could fit them into the flow of the text, but it would entail compressing the chart to the point of illegibility.

Would it be acceptable to include the diagram at the end of the paper, with a "See Figure 7.1" appearing in the corresponding text? That way we would avoid the problem of compression, though we'd lose the inline chart. Or would it be feasible for the text to appear on (for example) page six, with the chart (Figure 7.1) appearing as the next page?

And would it be better, then, to do the same for all charts (that is, better to compile them at the end), or only with those charts that don't easily fit into the body of the text?

I was an English major in college, but I never had to deal with included graphics this way, and in any case that was a long time ago, so who knows what's changed in the interim?

My friend and I both thank you for any advice you can offer.

[sybylla]

1. Can you use an appendix?

I assume, unless the department/school has issued specific guidelines for producing the thesis, it is perfectly acceptable to include an appendix wherein you include supporting materials.

However, I would advise against it if you want the thesis to be strong, direct and accessible. If the material in the graphic is important to the discussion/presentation of results, then it should appear there. You have two options at this point. One is to give it its own page before or after where it is first discussed and make sure it is labeled "Figure ??". Then, within the text, place a citation to the correct figure. The second option is to recreate or relabel the graphic so that it can be shrunk to 8", remain legible, and be included in line with the text where it is discussed.

Books on scientific and technical writing would be very helpful for creating a scientific thesis like your friend's. I recommend How to Write & Publish a Scientific Paper by Robert A. Day. Besides a short section on theses, he also offers several sections with tips for presenting graphics and photographs. I bet your friend can find Day's book at the college's library.

I have a Scientific and Technical Writing minor and have done a fair amount of technical writing in my business. If your friend would like additional advice or a critique, feel free to pm me. I'll give you my e-mail address so we can chat directly.

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. Each university has its own standards

the best answer is for you to go get the standards for the specific university

And yes, the publication department can be quite horrific

I used a profesional typist... yep it cost me a pretty penny, but the thesis went through

I might advise your friend to do the same, and the department may even know of a local typist that does this