3.6 Tables

Authors should present tables as a separate file generated by a recent version of a common word-processing program supported on both the Macintosh and Windows platforms. Tabular presentation of data should be used sparingly. Data in a very short table, for example, can often be included in the text with no loss of clarity. Large numbers of individual, similar facts, however, are best presented in a table. Consult Chapter 12 of The Chicago Manual of Style for detailed information on planning and constructing tables; also see recent issues of the journals.

3.6.1 Size

3.6.2 Typing

All sections of the table should be double spaced, with each table beginning a new page.

3.6.3 Numbering and title

Use Arabic numerals and number all tables sequentially in the order cited in the text. Provide a short title for each table, centered at the top of the page, with significant words in initial caps. The title should not provide background information or describe the results illustrated by the table. Example of correct title:

3.6.4 Rules and headings

Use no vertical rules. Provide horizontal rules only above and below the table's column headings and beneath the last row of data; no internal horizontal rules are allowed. Each column and row should have a brief heading. The left-hand column of a table is called a "stub." Capitalization of stub headings is sentence style, while all significant words are capitalized in the column headings.

3.6.5 Body

If a column heading does not apply to one of the items in the stub, that "cell" should be left blank (do not use N.A. for "not applicable"). All numeric cell entries are decimal aligned and do not use leading zeros. If there are no data for a particular cell, insert a dash (-). Use tabs, not the space bar, to create columns.

3.6.6 Footnotes

There are three kinds of footnotes for tables. The title of a table should never be footnoted; place information pertinent to the entire table in a "general note" (see below). Information regarding the source of data for a table should either go in a general note (if all information taken from a single source) or in a table footnote specific to a particular entry, section, or head (see below).

1. General notes pertaining to the entire table. Example:
   
   Note: Data from Kent (1991); all dimensions in mm.
2. Notes specific to entry, section, or head. Examples:
   ^aC = child; A = adult.
   ^bContains decorative brass elements identical to those found with Burials 2 and 6.
   ^cData from Owsley et al. (1987).
3. Notes indicating a level of statistical significance. Examples:
   *p < .05.
   **p < .01.
   
   Note: Arrange notes, each one beginning on its own line, flush left, in the following order: general notes, specific notes indicated by superscript lowercase letters (not numbers), and significance notes indicated by asterisks.

3.6.7 Citation

Every table must be cited in the text, beginning with Table 1 and continuing sequentially; do not abbreviate the word "Table." Examples: (Table 1), (Tables 1 and 2), (Tables 1–3), (Tables 2, 3, and 7), "As illustrated in Table 1…"