What types of figures are not permitted in JMIR articles?

Please see below for information about particular figure types which are not permitted by JMIR Publications' journal style. When an article is accepted with these figure formats, the copyeditor or production team will request that the information presented is converted to a different format.

Simple pie diagrams

Alternate ways to present the data:

1. Present the data in the text of a relevant paragraph instead
2. Convert the pie diagram to a table with an "n (%)" column
3. If the text is self-explanatory, remove the pie diagram entirely

Simple (not allowed):

Complex (allowed):

Simple bar graphs

Alternate ways to present the data:

1. Present the data in the text of a relevant paragraph instead
2. Convert the bar graph to a table
3. Move the figure to a multimedia appendix

Simple (not allowed):

This simple bar graph can be converted into a table:

If only a small amount of data is being presented in the bar graph, the data can be provided in the main text.

Simple bar graphs representing summary statistics (means and SDs or odds ratios and 95% CIs) are not allowed: 

This graph can be converted into a table:

Complex (allowed):

Stacked bar graphs:

Note, while stacked bar graphs like the one above are allowed, when each bar is only comparing 2 different items, the data would be better presented as a table.

Bar graphs that use error bars:

Bar graphs that visually show a trend (eg, seasonal trends):

Word clouds

Word clouds can be presented as a table. If the table is longer than a page using all the words, the table must be pared down to the most important words or, alternatively, included as a multimedia appendix instead. Note that a node diagram is a distinct type of figure which is permitted.

Word cloud (not allowed):

Node diagram (allowed):

Figures depicting a table

We request that tables which have been provided as images (ie, as a separate .png file) are converted into table format. These tables should be inserted within the main manuscript Word doc file using the "Insert Table" function. (Note: all in-text mentions of "Figure X" should be revised to "Table X", and the subsequent figures and tables renumbered, accordingly.)

This is to ensure that the manuscript is in line with the instructions for authors, and allows us to be able to copyedit and typeset the manuscript to our journal style.

We request that these changes are made during the submission and review process, but at the latest point just after acceptance. We will not be able to proceed to creating the manuscript proofs without the correctly formatted tables.

Certain exceptions can be made if tables have graphical elements or colors that are important for conveying the message; however, these instances are quite rare.

Copyright protected images require permission

Unless a figure was previously published under a Creative Commons license (in which case attribution must be given in the figure caption), it is the responsibility of the author to obtain relevant permissions if they do not own the copyright.

Images showing identifiable features of research participants require permission or deidentification

Illustrative images showing research participants are encouraged (especially as a TOC image, see What makes a good TOC image?), however, authors must either

• make sure no identifiable features are visible (including faces, tattoos etc), and if they are, edit the image to anonymize subjects (e.g. blurring or black bar over eyes and/or other identifiable marks), or
• obtain explicit consent from research participants to use their image in publications, and are requested to upload any relevant consent forms as supplementary files. 

While the JMIR production team takes steps to ensure that copyright and privacy conditions are met, it is the authors' responsibility to ensure that the privacy of research participants is protected or relevant permissions are on file and can be produced in case of any post-publication disputes.

Related:

• How many tables and figures can I include in my article?
• What are the guidelines for supplementary files (figures, Multimedia Appendix, additional material for reviewers/editors only)?