on processes shown in square boxes connected
by horizontal or vertical arrows. There is also a more
‘engineering’ style of flow chart, which uses square boxes to
indicate processes, diamond boxes to indicate decision
points, and rounded shapes to indicate both the start points
of a set of operations and outcomes.
◆Diagrams should be consistently designed across your thesis,
and not vary widely in their appearance. They should look
as simple and uncluttered as possible. If you are using boxes
try and give them a standard shape so far as possible. Do not
adjust box sizes erratically simply to accommodate different-
length labels. Try and align boxes on the page using simple
row and column (or grid) patterns, rather than spacing them
about erratically. Avoid using more types of shapes than are
strictly necessary. Different shapes (for instance, rectangles
or square versus circles or ovals) should always signal to
readers different types of things being diagrammed.
◆Connect boxes up in diagrams using the minimum number
of straight vertical and horizontal lines or arrows. Try to
keep ‘kinked’ or cross-over lines or arrows to an absolute
minimum. Always avoid diagonal lines or arrows wherever
possible, because their slopes usually have different angles.
Diagrams can easily look a bit messy and unprofessional
when diagonals run at different angles. Make clear the status
of any lines or arrows used to link boxes with a proper key
and completely clear labels. Readers should never be left in
any doubt at all about what is being shown by connecting
lines or arrows. A line without arrows is generally more
difficult for readers to interpret, because it has no
directionality in it. Use this device only to indicate cases
where two-way flows or linkages of exactly the same kind
occur. Non-directional lines are also feasible in those types
of diagrams where normal conventions give the line a
reasonably clear meaning, as in organization charts
(or ‘organograms’ as they are also called). Arrowed lines are
generally more helpful and informative for readers so long
as they know very clearly what an arrow linking A to B
stands for. Does it mean that A causesB? Or that A
communicatesto B, for example passing B information or
sending them an invoice or a product, or what? Or perhaps
194 ◆AUTHORING A PHD