77  Minimum Components of a Plot

Regardless of the plotting method used, there is a minimum amount of information your audience needs to understand and critique your research. If this information is not apparent from looking at your plot, you must provide it in the figure legend or in your oral description.

Metric Description
Sample Size How many observations are in each group?
Replicates Biological replicates are most appropriate for explanatory plots.
Technical replicates may be of interest during method development.
Do not confuse or misrepresent the two! see XX
Error Bars If you have error bars, specify precisely what they represent, see XX
Units and Axis labels Make sure all axes are properly labelled, specifying the units and any transformations to the data, when necessary.
Statistics If you include markings for statistical significance, specify what test was conducted and if you performed any multiple-testing correction.
Experimental Details Details such as strain/line/organism should be clearly stated directly in the plot, or if not possible in the figure legend.