Graphics can integrate well with research if 1) meaning is more effectively communicated in the graphic than in text; 2) the graphic type is carefully chosen (e.g. picture, graph, chart, diagram etc.) to meet the readers expectations; 3) the graphics purpose and meaning are correctly described (before insert the graphic); 4) the graphic is correctly formatted; and 5) the graphic is correctly cited.
So should you use a graphic? Will you use a graphic?