I’m a bit confused about the correct order when referring to tables and figures in academic writing, and I’d really appreciate some clarification.
Let’s say I have Table 1 and Figure 1 that present descriptive statistics (e.g., median, IQR, and a boxplot for several variables). I’ve learned that tables/figures should be mentioned before mentioning the results, but I’m unsure how strictly this rule should be followed in practice.
For example, should I always introduce the table or figure first, like:
“An overview of the descriptive statistics is provided in Table 1 and Figure 1”
and then explain the median, mean, etc. afterward? (plus compare between variables)
Or is it also acceptable to start by describing a result (e.g., the median) and then refer to the table/figure in the same or following sentence? (That is what ChatGPT answered.)
I think I might be overthinking this, but I want to make sure my structure is correct and consistent.
And also, how detailed should I write the figure description of the boxplot? Should I mention median, etc., as well?
Thanks in advance for your help!