A bovine eye chart. Source (link dead in 2023)
by Elio
I have a complaint. Scientific papers can be quite demanding to read. So, why make life more difficult by making the legends of the figures so hard to read? My big complaint is that when a legend pertains to multiple parts, the letters corresponding to them are nearly invisible. Try finding the (c), (d), or (e) in the legend. For heaven’s sake, what is so hard about showing these in bold letters? Besides, life would be simpler if there were fewer images or if they weren’t grouped so tightly.
Next time you write a paper, tell the editor that you want the letters in figure legends to be in bold face. Thank you in the name of all of us.
I hear some mention about visually challenged, but I am young and I must say I can NEVER seem to find those darn legend letters. It always seems to occur when one is in a meeting with their PI and they just really want to make a point!
Spencer,
Thanks for the comment. It reinforces our point. But I doubt that many will listen. As Vincent R. implies, Style Manuals trump common sense.
Elio
Posted by: Spencer Diamond | May 17, 2011 at 08:58 PM