Hugonweb | Tips for New Researchers

Graphs / Plots

Label the axes and don't forget units
Include a legend if there is more than one kind of data on the plot
Should either axis start from zero?
Should you zoom in, tight on the data, or zoom out? Think of the story you want to tell and if you are biasing with zoom
If using colors corresponding to values, like in a 2D histogram, use perceptually-uniform colormaps as discussed in the matplotlib documentation.
Think about how your color-scheme might be perceived by someone with colorblindness. Most common are issues differentiating red and green, so avoid displaying both.

Always put slide numbers on your slides
Make sure your presentation colors contrast so you can see them on a projector
Make sure text (including on plots) is big enough to see on a projector
Your audience (even your mentor!) doesn't know what your variables mean, describe them
You can have a bunch of "backup" slides after your conclusions with extra info or plots if somebody asks a question
Send a presentation PDF as well as a powerpoint so that your slides look good even on Linux/Mac/Windows

Describe your data sample
- Real data or simulation?
- Kind of particle?
- Starting position?
- Starting angle?
- Starting energy?
- Pre-selection or trigger?
For each plot, is there one entry per event or per particle or...?
Is this plot true variables or reconstructed variables?
Should you show this histogram with log scale y-axis? You could always put the linear in your backup slides