can you include images in a research paper

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Using Images and Non-Textual Materials in Presentations, Papers, Theses, and Dissertations

• Documenting and Citing Images
• Finding Images - Select Sources

Documenting and Citing Images/Photographs and Their Sources

Please note that this is advice on best practices and considerations in documenting and citing images and non-print materials. It does not represent legal advice on obtaining permissions.

Generally, images copied from other sources should not be used without permissions in publications or for commercial purposes. Many American academic institutions require graduate students to archive their finished and approved theses/dissertations in institutional electronic repositories and/or institutional libraries and repositories, and/or to post them on Proquest's theses database. Unpublished theses and dissertations are a form of scholarly dissemination. Someone else's images, like someone else's ideas, words or music, should be used with critical commentary, and need to be identified and cited. If a thesis/dissertation is revised for publication,  waivers or permissions from the copyright holder(s) of the images and non-textual materials must be obtained. Best practices also apply to materials found on the internet and on social media, and, properly speaking, require identification, citation, and clearance of permissions, as relevant.

Use the following elements when identifying and citing an image, depending on the information you have available . It is your responsibility to do due diligence and document as much as possible about the image you are using:

• Artist's/creator's name, if relevant;
• Title of the work/image, if known, or description;
• Ownership information (such as a person, estate, museum, library collection) and source of image;
• Material, if known, particularly for art works;
• Dimensions of the work, if known.

The Chicago Manual of Style online can be searched for norms on appropriate ways to caption illustrations, capitalize titles of visual works, or cite print materials that contain images.

Including images/photographs in a bibliography:

Best practice is to not include images within a bibliography of works cited. It is common, instead, to create a separate list of images (or figures) and their source, such as photographer (even if it's you) or collection. It may be useful to also include location, e.g., museum, geographic reference, address, etc.

Examples of Documenting Images

The image below is scanned from a published book. It can be used in a critical context within a presentation, classroom session, or  paper/thesis, as follows:

[ Figure 1. This photograph from 1990 shows the Monument against Fascism designed by Jochen Gerz and Esther Shalev-Gerz, Hamburg, 1986-1993. Image from James Young, ed.,  Art of Memory: Holocaust Memorials in History (New York: Prestel, 1994), 70]

If you need to use this image in a published work, you will have to seek permission. For example, the book from which this image was scanned should have a section on photo credits which would help you identify the person/archive holding this image.

The image below was found through Google Images and downloaded from the internet. It can be used in a critical context within a presentation,  classroom session, or paper/thesis, as follows:

[Figure 2. This image shows the interior of Bibliotheca Alexandrina designed by the Norwegian architecture firm Snøhetta in 2001. Image downloaded from https://mgkhs.com/gallery/alexandria in March 2016.]

If you want to use this image in a published work, you will have to do your best to track down its source to request permission to use. The web site or social media site where you found the image may not be an appropriate source, since it is common for people to repost images without attribution. Just because "everyone does it" does not mean that you should be using such materials without attribution or documentation. In this specific example, you may need to write to the photographer or to the architecture firm. If you have done due diligence and were unable to find the source, or have not received a response, you may be able to use an image found on the internet with appropriate documentation in a publication.

The image below was downloaded from a digitized historic collection of photographs held by an institutional archive. It can be used in a critical context within a presentation,  classroom session, or paper/thesis, as follows:

[Figure 3. In the 1920s the urban landscape of Los Angeles started to change, as various developers began building multi-family apartment houses in sections previously zoned for single family dwellings. Seen in this photograph by Dick Whittington is the Warrington apartment building, which was completed in 1928, surrounded by older single family structures. Downloaded from the USC Digital Library in February 2016]

I f you plan to use this photograph in a publication, seek permission from the library/institution from whose digital archive you downloaded the image. Contact information is usually found in the record for the image.

The image below was taken by the author. It can be used in a critical context within a presentation, classroom session , paper/thesis, or a publication* as follows:

[Figure 4. Genex Tower, also known as West City Gate, is a residential tower located in New Belgrade. This example of late 20th century brutalist-style architecture was designed in 1977 by Mihajlo Mitrović. Photographed by the author in 2013.]

*Please note, if you re-photographed someone else's photograph or a work of art, or if you re-photographed a published image, you may not be able to publish your photograph without first seeking permission or credit for its content.  If you have done due diligence and were unable to find the source or have not received a response, you may be able to use your image with appropriate documentation.

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• Last Updated: Jan 19, 2023 3:12 PM
• URL: https://libguides.usc.edu/fair_use

Using Images in Publications

Many scholarly publications are enhanced with images, ranging from reproductions of fine art to graphs showing the results of scientific research. Including images in books and articles can complement the text, visually demonstrate the author's analysis, and engage the reader. Using images in publications, however, raises copyright issues, which can be complex, time-consuming, and expensive. To help authors navigate this process, publishers often provide specific guidance, including what rights must be requested, acceptable file formats, image resolution, etc. See Requesting 3rd party Permissions  from Oxford Journals or Image Guidelines from Johns Hopkins University Press as examples. 

The primary issues that you need to aware of when incorporating images in your publication are: 

The right to publish a copyrighted image is controlled by the copyright owner, so each copyrighted image that you use must have permission or fall within an exception to the general copyright statue, such as public domain, fair use, or open access. Copyright permission fees are sometimes waived or reduced for scholarly publications; if not, however, they can be quite expensive as well as time-consuming to obtain. We recommend that you begin the permissions process early to avoid any last-minute complications that may delay publication of your work. In addition to copyright permission, some museums and other providers of images charge a fee for the production or use of a digital image from their collections, even if the underlying work is in the public domain. Like permissions fees, use fees are sometimes waived or reduced for scholarly publications.

High resolution images

Publishers will require a high resolution image for publication (usually at least 300 ppi). These may come from museums, archives, other collections, your own work, or suppliers of stock photos. There may be a fee assessed for use, the amount of which can vary significantly depending on who is supplying the image and how you are using it.

Printing costs

The cost of printing images can be substantial for the publisher, so be sure to discuss with your editor how many images they will publish, whether they will be in color, and whether a subvention will be required if the manuscript contains a large number of images.

Privacy and publicity rights

If you have a photograph with people in it, there may be privacy or publicity rights that need to be addressed.

• Susan Bielstein,  Copyright Clearance: A Publisher's Perspective  (2005) (article begins on page 19)
• Susan Bielstein,  Permissions, A Survival Guide: Blunt Talk about Art as Intellectual Property  (2006) (ebook - Georgetown NetID required for off-campus access)
• Lois Farfel Stark, Obtaining Image Permissions for Your Book: An Author’s Perspective (2018)

Copyright Principles

Public domain.

If you can find a usable image in a book or journal article published before 1927, it will be in the public domain , and therefore free of any copyright restrictions. Certain images published between 1927 and 1989 may also be in the public domain, depending on if they were published with a copyright notice and if the copyright was renewed. For more information, use this public domain chart or contact [email protected] .

Works of the United States government are also in the public domain and may be used freely.

Some museums, libraries, and archives make public domain images freely available with few or no restrictions. Read more in the Finding Images  section.

Open Access / Creative Commons

Wikimedia Commons has a large collection of images that are licensed using the Creative Commons licensing system . Restrictions, if any, are listed with the image. It is important to recognize that if you use Wikimedia, you are relying on copyright information provided by the person uploading the image. You should review the copyright information carefully to be sure it appears to be accurate.

Many of the licenses in Wikimedia permit noncommercial uses only. The definition of noncommercial for purposes of the CC BY-NC license is, “NonCommercial means not primarily intended for or directed towards commercial advantage or monetary compensation.” Creative Commons provides some further guidance on how to  interpret  the NC license. 

Under certain circumstances, publishers may be comfortable with relying on fair use when publishing images accompanying scholarly works.

The guidelines in the College Art Association’s Code of Best Practices in Fair Use for the Visual Arts set out the fair use arguments for using art for educational purposes: 

PRINCIPLE In their analytic writing about art, scholars and other writers (and, by extension, their publishers) may invoke fair use to quote, excerpt, or reproduce copyrighted works, subject to certain limitations:

Limitations

• The writer’s use of the work, whether in part or in whole, should be justified by the analytic objective, and the user should be prepared to articulate that justification.
• The writer’s analytic objective should predominate over that of merely representing the work or works used.
• The amount and kind of material used and (where images are concerned) the size and resolution of the published reproduction should not exceed that appropriate to the analytic objective.
• Justifications for use and the amount used should be considered especially carefully in connection with digital-format reproductions of born-digital works, where there is a heightened risk that reproductions may function as substitutes for the originals.
• Reproductions of works should represent the original works as accurately as can be achieved under the circumstances.
• The writing should provide attribution of the original work as is customary in the field, to the extent possible.

Your own work

If you have your own high resolution photograph, you may use it freely since you own the copyright in your photograph. If, however, your photograph is of a copyrighted work of art, permission of the artist will be required unless it is a fair use . Note that many museums do not allow photography of works in their collections, so obtaining your own image of a work of art may not be an option. While architectural works are subject to copyright protection, photographs of publicly viewable buildings may be used. 17 U.S.C. § 120(a) .

If your image does not fall into any of the above categories, you will need to request permission from the copyright holder for use of the image. You may be able to obtain permission from one of the sites listed in the next section, or you may need to request permission from the artists or their representatives. The Artists Rights Society represents the intellectual property rights interests of visual artists and their estates worldwide and covers works in private collections as well as museums and galleries. ARS has a request form for permissions requests. Note that ARS handles permission requests only and does not supply images of the works.

For more general information on requesting permission, visit our Requesting Permission page.

Finding Images

Museums, libraries, and archives.

Some museums, libraries, and archives have collections of public domain images available for use in scholarly publications. The content of the collections and the permitted uses vary among institutions. Many do not allow images to be used as cover art since that is usually considered to be a commercial use, and some limit use to print publications. Below is a list of libraries and museums that make works available with few or no restrictions. 

• British Library  - The British Library’s collection on flickr allows access to millions of public domain images from the Library's collections. Higher quality images, if required, are available for purchase through the British Library. For more information, visit the Library's Images Online page.  
• J. Paul Getty Museum  - The Getty makes available, without charge, all available digital images to which the Getty holds the rights or that are in the public domain to be used for any purpose. More information about the content of the collections is available on their  Open Content Program  page.
• Library of Congress - Prints and Photographs - This collection has over 1,200,000 digitized images from the Library's collections. Rights information is available for each image - look for the field marked "Rights Advisory." Many collections have no known restrictions on use. For further information about using the collection, read the Copyright and Other Restrictions That Apply to Publication/Distribution of Images . Information on restrictions on use by collection is also available.
• National Gallery of Art  - NGA Images is a repository of images  presumed to be in the public domain  from the collections of the National Gallery of Art. Users may download— free of charge and without seeking authorization from the Gallery— any image of a work in the Gallery’s collection that the Gallery believes is in the public domain and is free of other known restrictions.
• New York Public Library  - This collection contains more than 180,000 photographs, postcards, maps and other public-domain items from the library’s special collections in downloadable high-resolution files. High resolutions downloads are available with no permission required and no restrictions on use.
• Victoria & Albert Museum - These images of art from the collections of the V&A are available for academic publishing with some limitations (print runs up to 4,000 copies or 5 years online use). Read the full  terms and conditions  to see if your use qualifies.

Stock image sites

There are many companies that provide both a high quality image for publication and a license for publication. These sites usually have good selection of images, the images are high quality, and the search features are sophisticated. Licensing fees vary considerably and can be high, though you may be able to negotiate a discount for use in a scholarly publication.

For some of the sites listed below, the price will vary depending on which rights you need for publication: print/electronic, region of the world, number of languages, number of books, where the image will be placed (inside/cover), and size of the image. After entering that information, a license fee will display based on your use. The license fee is not automatically available for some images; for those, you will usually receive an email message after submitting your request. You should consult with your editor when selecting options to be sure you have selected the appropriate options for your book or article.

• Art Resource (license fee based on rights needed)
• Bridgeman Images (license fee based on rights needed)
• Getty Images (license fee based on rights needed)
• iStock (flat fee)
• Shutterstock (flat fee)

JSTOR Images Search

JSTOR Images Search (Georgetown NetID required for off-campus access) is a subscription database that includes some images specifically licensed for academic publishing. These images are identified with “IAP” (Images for Academic Publishing) under the thumbnail image in your search results. Details of the use, including size of print run and credit line, vary among IAP images. You can view these by clicking on the IAP icon under the thumbnail image. The Terms and Conditions agreement displays when you download the image. Most JSTOR images, however, are not in the IAP program and are not licensed for use in scholarly publishing. To use a non-IAP image in a book or article, you will usually need to request permission or go through a fee-based stock photo archive, often Art Resource, for a license. JSTOR provides contact information for permissions in the "Rights Notes" section of image information page.

You may also find usable images for publication on the sites listed on.

Additional options

• College Art Association's list of image sources
• Georgetown Library's Copyright and Multimedia: Images page
• Georgetown Library's Images LibGuide

Specific Uses

Cover images.

Images that appear on the cover of a book often require specific permission for that use and a higher fee.

Film frames

The Association of University Presses has this statement on fair use and film frames in their Permissions FAQ :

You may use frame enlargements and publicity stills (both from films and from television shows) when you can justify their inclusion in the work under fair use guidelines—for example, when it can be argued that the illustration serves as a quote from the filmic “text” to illustrate a point. Be conservative in selecting material—if the still or frame illuminates a point you are making or is specifically discussed, then the use may qualify as fair use. Where possible, limit the number of frames reprinted from any one film and from different films that represent the subject of your work. If your use is decorative, you must seek permission from the rightsholder to include it. When purchasing material from a photo agency, read the conditions stated on the agreement and on the back of the photo very carefully (particularly the fine print). In all cases, acknowledge the original copyright holder. For a more in-depth analysis of fair use as related to stills and frame enlargements, the fair use section of the Society for Cinema and Media Studies website offers a number of policy statements and disciplinary guidelines that may be useful.

If your use goes beyond fair use, or if your publisher has a more restrictive policy, you will need to get permission from the copyright owner. Most major film studios have a licensing division where you can submit a request –  MGM ,  Sony ,  Warner Brothers , Paramount Pictures ,   Universal , and Walt Disney Studios , for example. For smaller producers, you will need to contact them directly with your request.

Charts, graphs, and figures

There are differences among publishers with respect to what permissions they require for graphs, so a good first step is to consult with your editor on their policies. A few sample policies are:

• Princeton University Press - "Where a chart, graph, or table is being reproduced in a critical study of the work or to buttress an argument of the writer, no permission is needed. Data is not copyrightable. Unless there is a creative element to data depiction that is being reproduced without alteration, fair use can be asserted, with attribution."
• Harvard University Press - "Data is not protected by copyright. However, graphics like tables and charts are copyright protected if the data is organized or presented in a unique way or if the graphic provides interpretation of the data. If you plan to reprint a graphic from another source that is protected by copyright, please clear permission. If you plan to reprint existing tables and charts, adapt existing tables and charts, or create your own tables and charts that will not be subject to copyright protection, please refer to the following guidelines for credit: The standard way to credit tables and charts you are reprinting is: Source: Credit."
• Oxford University Press - "As a guide, you should always seek permission for:  . . . Pictures (paintings, drawings, charts, engravings, photographs, cartoons, and so on); Figures and maps; Tables."

There are permissions guidelines that many STM publishers use in setting policies for the reuse of images from their publications. The guidelines include gratis permission for the use of limited numbers of figures/tables/images from journal articles or books, though note that not all members have adopted policies exactly as written in the guidelines.

Many publishers who follow the STM guidelines, or who have similar policies, provide free permissions through the Copyright Clearance Center's Marketplace  so those requests are usually quick, easy, and free. The Marketplace system requires information about your publication and exactly what rights you are seeking. For charts, graphs, or figures that fall outside the guidelines, the license fees are often in the $20-$50 range, although that depends on many factors and could be higher or lower.

If you have questions about using images in a scholarly publication, please email [email protected] .

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How to include pictures in a research paper

It is often said that a picture can speak more than a thousand words. In all kinds of research papers, pictures are essential in adding to the richness of the literature and analysis because of the valuable insight they can offer. For example, pictures of measured data from statistical applications are very important additions to the “Data presentation and analysis” chapter or section of any research paper.

This is because they help to complement verbal discussions or analysis by offering a visual presentation of the statistical technique used to measure the variables of interest. However, where the researcher is not the originator of such pictures, it is very important to cite the source of the picture according to the prescribed format. In the case of statistical applications mentioned above, for example, be sure to disclose which application generated the picture or printout as well as the version of such an application (e.g., SPSS version 27).   

What is a research paper?

A research paper is a form of academic writing which involves formally investigating a field of knowledge or topic of interest in order to add to the existing stock of knowledge in that field and/or solve a particular problem. Educational research is formal because it is not based on the subjective discretions of the researcher but on an accepted and objective standard such as the scientific method of inquiry. Research papers can be of different types. These include term papers, seminar presentations, undergraduate projects, post-graduate thesis or dissertations, conference/workshop papers, and journal entries, among others.

Though these highlighted papers and others can be structured in diverse ways, conducting research in this context basically requires that the researcher identifies a problem or area of interest; formulates research questions and/or hypothesis; reviews the existing literature in the field; collects, measures and analyzes relevant data; discusses the findings; makes conclusions and recommendations based on the findings and then suggests possible directions for future research.

Some things to consider before including pictures in a research paper

As noted above, pictures can complement words to make a research paper richer in terms of providing more insight. However, the researcher must ensure that such pictures are optimally included to generate the desired effects. To this end, some of the tips below can help.

Ensure the picture adds value to your research paper

Pictures may be a necessary aspect of some research papers but this does not imply that they should not be selected meticulously and meritoriously. The researcher must critically evaluate all pictures he or she intends to include in their paper and select only the most relevant, i.e., those that will help illuminate verbal discussions/analysis and consequently deepen the understanding of readers.   

Proper labeling and citation

Research papers are formal documents with rules on how each of them should be written, structured, or formatted. Therefore, ensure that your pictures are labeled according to the rules provided by whoever the paper is meant for (such as a university department or a print journal). The rules are usually determined by Style Guides like the Modern Language Association (MLA), the American Psychological Association, etc. Properly citing the sources of any picture you have borrowed is necessary to enable you avoid plagiarism.

Pictures should be suitably located

After toiling hard to gather the pictures needed for his or her research, the researcher should ensure that the selected pictures are appropriately inserted into the desired areas of the paper. In some social science projects and theses, for example, a tabular presentation of the data used for the research is located on the first page of the fourth chapter titled “Data presentation and analysis.”

Sometimes the researcher may have several pictures that cannot all be accommodated in the main body of a project or thesis/dissertation. In such instances, it will be appropriate to attach such pictures in the “Appendices” section at the end of the paper.

Carry the images along

The pictures do not serve as mere decorations but have been selected to help provide more insight and thus enrich the research paper. To this end, the researcher should ensure that the pictures are properly integrated into the verbal discussions or analysis in the paper.  For example, “Figure 1.0 is a graphical representation of all the differenced variables in the time series.” etc.

Citing pictures in a research paper

There are many kinds of pictures as well as picture sources and they can also be cited in a variety of ways. For simplicity, the examples in this article will focus entirely on how to cite digital (internet) pictures.

Format: Image Creator’s Last Name, First Name. “Image Title.”  Website Name , Day Month Year Published, URL.  

Example: Jones, Daniel. “The Hope Creek nuclear plant.” LearnersHub ,  9 November 2017, www.learnershub.net/2017/09/11/nuclear-technology-explained.html.

Chicago style

Format: Last Name, First Name. M [initials]. “Title.” Digital image. Website Title. Month Date, Year published. Accessed Month Date, Year. URL.

If the picture has no title, then a description can be used instead.

Date Accessed should only be included if the publication date is unavailable.

Example: Jones, Daniel R. “The Hope Creek nuclear plant.”Digital image. LearnersHub ,  Accessed 9 November 2017. www.learnershub.net.

Format: Author’s last name. First initial. (Publication or creation date). Title of image [Type of image]. Name of publisher. Museum or university. URL.

Example: Jones,  R. 2017.   The Hope Creek nuclear plant .[Photo]. National Science Museum. https//:www.nationalsciencemsuem.org/nuclearscience/2017/11/the-hope-creek-nuclear-plant.jpg.

Pictures of all kinds (including tables, charts, graphs, figures, photographs, etc) are useful components in a research paper. This is because of the insight they can bring by complementing verbal discussions and analysis. However, pictures should not be included in a research paper arbitrarily but follow some guidelines such as those presented above.

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How to cite images and graphs in your research paper

Table of Contents

If you are confused about whether you should include pictures, images, charts, and other non-textual elements in your research paper or not, I would suggest you must insert such elements in your research paper. Including non-textual elements like images and charts in the research paper helps extract a higher acceptance of your proposed theories.

An image or chart will make your research paper more attractive, interesting, explanatory, and understandable for the audience. In addition, when you cite an image or chart, it helps you describe your research and its parts with far more precision than simple, long paragraphs.

There are plenty of reasons why you should cite images in your research paper. However, most scholars and academicians avoid it altogether, losing the opportunity to make their research papers more interesting and garner higher readership.

Additionally, it has been observed that there are many misconceptions around the use or citation of images in research papers. For example, it is widely believed and practiced that using pictures or any graphics in the research papers will render it unprofessional or non-academic. However, in reality, no such legit rules or regulations prohibit citing images or any graphic elements in the research papers.

You will find it much easier once you know the appropriate way to cite images or non-textual elements in your research paper. But, it’s important to keep in mind some rules and regulations for using different non-textual elements in your research paper. You can easily upgrade your academic/ research writing skills by leveraging various guides in our repository.

In this guide, you will find clear explanations and guidelines that will teach you how to identify appropriate images and other non-textual elements and cite them in your research paper. So, cut the clutter; let’s start.

Importance of citing images in a research paper

Although it’s not mandatory to cite images in a research paper, however, if you choose to include them, it will help showcase your deep understanding of the research topic. It can even represent the clarity you carry for your research topic and help the audience navigate your paper easily.

There are several reasons why you must cite images in your research paper like:

(i) A better explanation for the various phenomenon

While writing your research paper, certain topics will be comparatively more complex than others. In such a scenario where you find out that words are not providing the necessary explanation, you can always switch to illustrating the process using images. For example, you can write paragraphs describing climate change and its associated factors and/or cite a single illustration to describe the complete process with its embedded factors.

(ii) To simplify examples

To create an impeccable research paper, you need to include evidence and examples supporting your argument for the research topic. Rather than always explaining the supporting evidence and examples through words, it will be better to depict them through images. For example, to demonstrate climate change's effects on a region, you can always showcase and cite the “before and after” images.

(iii) Easy Classification

If your research topic requires segregation into various sub-topics and further, you can easily group and classify them in the form of a classification tree or a chart. Providing such massive information in the format of a classification tree will save you a lot of words and present the information in a more straightforward and understandable form to your audience.

(iv) Acquire greater attention from the audience

Including images in your research paper, theses, and dissertations will help you garner the audience's greater attention. If you add or cite images in the paper, it will provide a better understanding and clarification of the topics covered in your research. Additionally, it will make your research paper visually attractive.

Types of Images that you can use or cite in your research paper

Using and citing images in a research paper as already explained can make your research paper more understanding and structured in appearance. For this, you can use photos, drawings, charts, graphs, infographics, etc. However, there are no mandatory regulations to use or cite images in a research paper, but there are some recommendations as per the journal style.

Before including any images in your research paper, you need to ensure that it fits the research topic and syncs with your writing style. As already mentioned, there are no strict regulations around the usage of images. However, you should make sure that it satisfies certain parameters like:

• Try using HD quality images for better picture clarity in both print and electronic formats
• It should not be copyrighted, and if it is, you must obtain the license to use it. In short cite the image properly by providing necessary credits to its owner
• The image should satisfy the context of the research topic

You can cite images in your research paper either at the end, in between the topics, or in a separate section for all the non-textual elements used in the paper. You can choose to insert images in between texts, but you need to provide the in-text citations for every image that has been used.

Additionally, you need to attach the name, description and image number so that your research paper stays structured. Moreover, you must cite or add the copyright details of the image if you borrow images from other platforms to avoid any copyright infringement.

Graphs and Charts

You can earn an advantage by providing better and simple explanations through graphs and charts rather than wordy descriptions. There are several reasons why you must cite or include graphs and charts in your research paper:

• To draw a comparison between two events, phenomena, or any two random parameters
• Illustration of statistics through charts and graphs are most significant in drawing audience attention towards your research topic
• Classification tree or pie charts goes best to show off the degree of influence of a specific event, or phenomenon in your research paper

With the usage of graphs and charts, you can answer several questions of your readers without them even questioning. With charts and graphs, you can provide an immense amount of information in a brief yet attractive manner to your readers, as these elements keep them interested in your research topic.

Providing these non-textual elements in your research paper increases its readability. Moreover, the graphs and charts will drive the reader’s attention compared to text-heavy paragraphs.

You can easily use the graphs or charts of some previously done research in your chosen domain, provided that you cite them appropriately, or else you can create your graphs through different tools like Canva, Excel, or MS PowerPoint. Additionally, you must provide supporting statements for the graphs and charts so that readers can understand the meaning of these illustrations easily.

Similarly, like pictures or images, you can choose one of the three possible methods of placement in your research paper, i.e., either after the text or on a different page right after the corresponding paragraph or inside the paragraph itself.

How to Cite Images and Graphs in a Research Paper?

Once you have decided the type of images you will be using in your paper, understand the rules of various journals for the fair usage of these elements. Using pictures or graphs as per these rules will help your reader navigate and understand your research paper easily. If you borrow or cite previously used pictures or images, you need to follow the correct procedure for that citation.

Usage or citation of pictures or graphs is not prohibited in any academic writing style, and it just differs from each other due to their respective formats.

Cite an Image/Graphs in APA (American Psychological Association) style

Most of the scientific works, society, and media-based research topics are presented in the APA style. It is usually followed by museums, exhibitions, galleries, libraries, etc. If you create your research paper in APA style and cite already used images or graphics, you need to provide complete information about the source.

In APA style, the list of the information that you must provide while citing an element is as follows:

• Owner of the image (artist, designer, photographer, etc.)
• Complete Date of the Image: Follow the simple DD/MM/YYYY to provide the details about the date of the image. If you have chosen a certain historical image, you can choose to provide the year only, as the exact date or month may be unknown
• Country or City where the Image was first published
• A Name or Title of the Image (Optional: Means If it is not available, you can skip it)
• Publisher Name: Organization, association, or the person to whom the image was first submitted

If you want to cite some images from the internet, try providing its source link rather than the name or webpage.

Format/Example of Image Citation:

Johanson, M. (Photographer). (2017, September, Vienna, Austria. Rescued bird. National gallery.

Cite an Image/Graphs in MLA (Modern Language Association) style

MLA style is again one of the most preferred styles worldwide for research paper publication. You can easily use or cite images in this style provided no rights of the image owner get violated. Additionally, the format or the information required for citation or usage is very brief yet precise.

In the MLA style, the following are the details that a used image or graph must carry:

• Name of the creator of the owner
• Title, Name, or the Description of the Image
• Website Or the Source were first published
• Contributors Name (if any)
• Version or Serial Number (if any)
• Publisher’s Details; at least Name must be provided
• Full Date (DD:MM: YYYY) of the first published Image
• Link to the original image

Auteur, Henry. “Abandoned gardens, Potawatomi, Ontario.” Historical Museum, Reproduction no. QW-YUJ78-1503141, 1989, www.flickr.com/pictures/item/609168336/

Final Words

It is easy to cite images in your research paper, and you should add different forms of non-textual elements in the paper. There are different rules for using or citing images in research papers depending on writing styles to ensure that your paper doesn’t fall for copyright infringement or the owner's rights get violated.

No matter which writing style you choose to write your paper, make sure that you provide all the details in the appropriate format. Once you have all the details and understanding of the format of usage or citation, feel free to use as many images that make your research paper intriguing and interesting enough.

If you still have doubts about how to use or cite images, join our SciSpace (Formerly Typeset) Community and post your questions there. Our experts will address your queries at the earliest. Explore the community to know what's buzzing and be a part of hot discussion topics in the academic domain.

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With a best-in-class solution, you can handle everything from literature search and discovery to profile management, research writing, and formatting.

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Home » Figures in Research Paper – Examples and Guide

Figures in Research Paper – Examples and Guide

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Figures in Research Paper

Figures play an essential role in research papers as they provide a visual representation of data, results, and concepts presented in the text. Figures can include graphs, charts, diagrams, photographs, and other visual aids that enhance the reader’s understanding of the research.

Importance of Figures in Research Paper

Here are some specific ways in which figures can be important in a research paper:

• Visual representation of data : Figures can be used to present data in a clear and concise way. This makes it easier for readers to understand the results of experiments and studies.
• Simplify complex ideas: Some concepts can be difficult to explain using words alone. Figures can be used to simplify complex ideas and make them more accessible to a wider audience.
• Increase reader engagement : Figures can make a research paper more engaging and interesting to read. They break up long blocks of text and can make the paper more visually appealing.
• Support arguments: Figures can be used to support arguments made in the paper. For example, a graph or chart can be used to show a correlation between two variables, providing evidence for a particular hypothesis.
• Convey important information: Figures can be used to convey important information quickly and efficiently. This is particularly useful when the paper is being read by someone who is short on time and needs to quickly understand the main points.

Types of Figures in Research Paper

There are several types of figures commonly used in research papers, including:

• Line graphs: These are used to show trends or changes in data over time.
• Bar graphs: These are used to compare data across different categories or groups.
• Pie charts: These are used to show proportions or percentages of data.
• Scatterplots : These are used to show the relationship between two variables.
• Tables : These are used to present large amounts of data in a structured format.
• Photographs or images : These are used to provide visual context or examples of the research being presented.
• Diagrams or schematics : These are used to illustrate complex processes or systems.

How to add Figures to Research Paper

Adding figures to a research paper can be a great way to visually convey important information to the reader. Here are some general guidelines for adding figures to your research paper:

• Determine the appropriate type of figure: Depending on the information you want to convey, you may want to use a graph, chart, table, photograph, or other type of figure.
• Label the figure: Give your figure a descriptive title and number it. Also, include a brief caption that explains what the figure shows.
• Place the figure in the appropriate location : Generally, figures should be placed as close as possible to the text that refers to them. For example, if you mention a figure in the middle of a paragraph, it should be placed within that paragraph.
• Format the figure appropriately: Ensure that the figure is clear and easy to read. Use consistent fonts and font sizes, and make sure the figure is large enough to be easily seen.
• Cite the source of the figure: If the figure was not created by you, you must cite the source of the figure in your paper. This includes citing the author or creator, the date of creation, and any relevant publication information.
• Consider copyright : Ensure that you have permission to use any figures that are copyrighted. If the figure is copyrighted, you may need to obtain permission from the copyright holder to use it in your paper.

How to Label Figures in Research Paper

Labeling figures in a research paper is an important task that helps readers to understand the content of the paper. Here are the steps to label figures in a research paper:

• Decide on the numbering system: Before labeling the figures, decide on the numbering system that you want to use. Typically, figures are numbered consecutively throughout the paper, with the first figure being labeled as “Figure 1,” the second figure as “Figure 2,” and so on.
• Choose a clear and concise caption: A caption is a brief description of the figure that appears below the figure. It should be clear and concise and should describe the content of the figure accurately. The caption should be written in a way that readers can understand the figure without having to read the entire paper.
• Place the label and caption appropriately: The label and caption should be placed below the figure. The label should be centered and should include the figure number and a brief title. The caption should be placed below the label and should describe the figure in detail.
• Use consistent formatting: Make sure that the formatting of the labels and captions is consistent throughout the paper. Use the same font, size, and style for all figures in the paper.
• Reference figures in the text : When referring to a figure in the text, use the figure number and label. For example, “As shown in Figure 1, the results indicate that…”

Figure 1. Distribution of survey responses

In this example, “Figure 1” is the figure number, and “Distribution of survey responses” is a brief title or description of the figure.

The label should be placed at the top of the figure and should be centered. It should be clear and easy to read. It’s important to use a consistent format for all figures in the paper to make it easier for readers to follow.

Examples of Figures in Research Paper

Examples of Figures in Research Papers or Thesis are as follows:

Line graphs Example

Bar graphs Example

Pie charts Example

Scatterplots Example

Tables Example

Photographs or images Example

Diagrams or schematics Example

Purpose of Figures in Research Paper

Some common purposes of figures in research papers are:

• To summarize data: Figures can be used to present data in a concise and easy-to-understand manner. For example, graphs can be used to show trends or patterns in data, while tables can be used to summarize numerical information.
• To support arguments : Figures can be used to support arguments made in the text of the research paper. For example, a figure showing the results of an experiment can help to demonstrate the validity of the conclusions drawn from the experiment.
• To illustrate concepts: Figures can be used to illustrate abstract or complex concepts that are difficult to explain in words. For example, diagrams or illustrations can be used to show the structure of a complex molecule or the workings of a machine.
• To enhance readability: Figures can make a research paper more engaging and easier to read. By breaking up long blocks of text, figures can help to make the paper more visually appealing and easier to understand.
• To provide context : Figures can be used to provide context for the research being presented. For example, a map or diagram can help to show the location or layout of a study site or experimental setup.
• To compare results : Figures can be used to compare results from different experiments or studies. This can help to highlight similarities or differences in the data and draw comparisons between different research findings.
• To show relationships : Figures can be used to show relationships between different variables or factors. For example, a scatter plot can be used to show the correlation between two variables, while a network diagram can be used to show how different elements are connected to each other.
• To present raw data: Figures can be used to present raw data in a way that is easier to understand. For example, a heat map can be used to show the distribution of data over a geographic region, while a histogram can be used to show the distribution of data within a single variable.

Advantages of Figures in Research Paper

Figures (such as charts, graphs, diagrams, and photographs) are an important component of research papers and offer several advantages, including:

• Enhancing clarity : Figures can help to visually communicate complex data or information in a clear and concise manner. They can help readers better understand the research and its findings.
• Saving space : Figures can often convey information more efficiently than text, allowing researchers to present more information in less space.
• Improving readability : Figures can break up large blocks of text and make a paper more visually appealing and easier to read.
• Supporting arguments: Figures can be used to support arguments made in the text and help to strengthen the overall message of the paper.
• Enabling comparisons: Figures can be used to compare different data points, which can be difficult to do with text alone. This can help readers to see patterns and relationships in the data more easily.
• Providing context : Figures can provide context for the research, such as showing the geographic location of study sites or providing a visual representation of the study population.

About the author

Muhammad Hassan

Researcher, Academic Writer, Web developer

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• Subject guides
• Citing and referencing
• Images / Figures

Citing and referencing: Images / Figures

• In-text citations
• Reference list
• Books and book chapters
• Journals/Periodicals
• Newspapers/Magazines
• Government and other reports
• Legal sources
• Websites and social media
• Audio, music and visual media
• Conferences
• Dictionaries/Encyclopedias/Guides
• Theses/Dissertations
• University course materials
• Company and Industry reports
• Patents and Standards
• Tables and Figures
• Abbreviations used in referencing
• Medicine and Health sources
• Foreign language sources
• Music scores
• Journals and periodicals
• Government sources
• News sources
• Web and social media
• Games and apps
• Ancient and sacred sources
• Primary sources
• Audiovisual media and music scores
• Images and captions
• University lectures, theses and dissertations
• Interviews and personal communication
• Archival material
• In-Text Citations: Further Information
• Reference List: Standard Abbreviations
• Data Sheets (inc. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS))
• Figures & Tables (inc. Images)
• Lecture Materials (inc. PowerPoint Presentations)
• Reports & Technical Reports
• Theses and Dissertations
• Reference list guidelines
• Journal articles
• Government and industry publications
• Websites, newspaper and social media
• Conference papers, theses and university material
• Video and audio
• Images, graphs, tables, data sets
• Personal communications
• In-text Citations
• Journals / Periodicals
• Encyclopedias and Dictionaries
• Interviews and lectures
• Music Scores / Recordings
• Film / Video Recording
• Television / Radio Broadcast
• Online Communication / Social Media
• Live Performances
• Government and Organisation Publications
• Medicine & health sources
• Government/organisational/technical reports
• Images, graphs, tables, figures & data sets
• Websites newspaper & magazine articles, socia media
• Conferences, theses & university materials
• Personal communication & confidential unpublished material
• Video, audio & other media
• Generative AI
• Indigenous knowledges

Turabian Contents

• Introduction to Turabian Style
• Websites / Blogs
• Audiovisual
• Exhibitions
• Magazines / Newspapers
• Citing a source within a source
• University course materials / Theses / Exegeses

Rules for images

1. If you include any images in your document, also include a figure caption. See the "Positioning images in your document" box for more information.

2. If you refer to any visual material, i.e. art, design or architecture, you have seen in person and you are not including an image of it in your document, provide a detailed in-text citation or footnote. See the "Art, design and architecture you have seen in person" box for more information. 

3. If you have sourced an image from the web or a publication:

a) Notes Bibliography style: you need to include the publication information or web address in the footnote. See the "Images from the web" or "Images from books or other published sources" for more information. 

b) Author Date style: you need to include a brief in-text citation AND a full bibliography entry. See the "Images from the web" or "Images from books or other published sources" for more information. 

Positioning images in your document

• Author-Date (Parenthetical citations)

Positioning images in your document 

Figures are any images that you include in your document, i.e. illustrations, diagrams, graphs, photographs, images of artworks and etc. Whenever you include a figure in your document, you also provide a caption. Captions give concise descriptions, explanations, legends, or identify elements—depending on the type of figure. Position a caption below each figure.

Begin each caption with a figure number. And in your text, refer to the particular figure as you introduce it, spell out the word 'figure' if its in your sentence, or abbreviate to 'fig.' if it's written in parenthesis i.e. "in figure 1 you can see..." or (see fig. 1).

You may be the author of a figure in your document or you may have sourced it from elsewhere. If figures aren’t your work, captions can provide reference information, i.e. authors, titles and sources. Some assessments may require you to include a courtesy line acknowledging the name of the source organisation, archive or database, followed by an access date and the web address. 

Example:  In his painting The Banquet of Cleopatra (see fig. 1), Venetian artist Giambattista Tiepolo portrays a famous contest where Cleopatra wins a wager with Mark Antony by dissolving a pearl earring in a glass of vinegar and drinking it.  Tiepolo stage this scene amid columns of the composite order (see fig. 2), which visually underline links to ancient Rome (see fig. 3). 

Figure 1. Giambattista Tiepolo,  The Banquet of Cleopatra , 1743-44, oil on canvas, 250 x 357 cm. Courtesy of the National Gallery of Victoria, accessed 12 March, 2020, https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/explore/collection/work/4409/.

Figure 2. The composite order, showing a , the entablature and b , the column capital. Courtesy of OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay, accessed 12 March, 2020, https://pixabay.com/vectors/column-capital-composite-antiquity-148231/.

Figure 3. The Arch of Septimius Severus, 203 ce., Roman Forum, Rome. Courtesy of Artstor, accessed 12 March, 2020, https://library-artstor-org.ezproxy.lib.monash.edu.au.

Example:  In his painting  The Banquet of Cleopatra  (see fig. 1), Venetian artist Giambattista Tiepolo portrays a famous contest where Cleopatra wins a wager with Mark Antony by dissolving a pearl earring in a glass of vinegar and drinking it. Tiepolo stage this scene amid columns of the composite order (see fig. 2), which visually underline links to ancient Rome (see fig. 3). 

Figure 2. The composite order, showing  a , the entablature and  b , the column capital. Courtesy of OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay, accessed 12 March, 2020, https://pixabay.com/vectors/column-capital-composite-antiquity-148231/.

Figure 3. The Arch of Septimius Severus, 203 ce., Roman Forum, Rome. Courtesy of Artstor, accessed 12 March, 2020, https://library-artstor-org.ezproxy.lib.monash.edu.au.

Art, design and architecture you have seen in person

If you are referring to art, design or architecture and you are not including the image in your document, you only need to provide a detailed footnote.

Include the following information:

• artist or designer
• title of the work
• year of creation of work
• type of materials (optional)
• dimensions of the work (optional)
• location of item, e.g. name of the institution that houses the work, or city the building is in

Footnote     1. Giambattista Tiepolo, The Banquet of Cleopatra , 1743-44, oil on canvas, 250.3 x 357.0 cm, National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne.

If you are referring to the actual artwork and you are not including the image in your document, you only need to provide a detailed in text citation. 

• location of item, e.g. name institution that houses the work,  or city the building is in

Parenthetical (In Text)     (Georgia O'Keeffe, The Cliff Chimneys , 1938, Milwaukee Art Museum, Wisconsin )

Images from the web

• Author-Date (Parenthetical citations)

If you found the image online you will need to include in your footnote:

• title of work
• access date

1. Giambattista Tiepolo, The Banquet of Cleopatra , 1743-44, oil on canvas, 250.3 x 357.0 cm, accessed 24 May, 2012, http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/col/work/4409 .

2. Max Dupain, The Sunbaker , 1937, gelatin silver photograph, 38.0 x 43.1 cm, accessed 24 May, 2012 , http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/col/work/7621 .

If you found the image online you need to include a brief parenthetical (in text) citation and a bibliography entry that includes:

​ Examples:

Parenthetical (In Text)

(Tiepolo 1743-44)

(Dupain 1937)

Bibliography

Tiepolo,  Giambattista. 1743-44.  The Banquet of Cleopatra. Oil on canvas. A ccessed 24 May, 2012.   http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/col/work/4409 .

Dupain, Max. 1937. The Sunbaker . Photograph. A ccessed 24 May, 2012.  http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/col/work/7621 .

Images from books or other published sources

If you found the image in a book or other published source you will need to include in the footnote:

• date of creation of work
• author of book
• title of book
• place of publication
• date of publication
• figure or plate number of the reproduction (optional)

1. Giambattista Tiepolo, The Banquet of Cleopatra , 1743-44, in Ted Gott and Laurie Benson, Painting and Sculpture before 1800 in the International Collections of the National Gallery of Victoria (Melbourne: National Gallery of Victoria, 2003), 102.

2. Max Dupain, "The Sunbaker", 1937, in Isobel Crombie, Body Culture: Max Dupain, Photography and Australian Culture 1919-1939 (Images Publishing Group in association with National Gallery of Victoria, 2004), 150, 17.1.

If you found the image in a book or other published source you will need to include an in text citation as well as a bibliography entry that includes:

(Georgia O'Keeffe, The Cliff Chimneys , 1938, in Lynes, Poling-Kempes, and Turner 2004, 25)

Lynes, Barbara Buhler, Lesley Poling-Kempes, and Frederick W. Turner. 2004. Georgia O'Keeffe and New Mexico: A sense of place . Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.

Research Voyage

Research Tips and Infromation

The Power of Images in Research Papers: How They Enhance the Quality of Your Paper?

Introduction

Why are images(pictures) important in research papers, the benefits of using images(pictures) in research papers, using high-resolution images in a research paper, citing the source of the images used in a research paper, using relevant images in a research paper, optimizing the size and placement of images in a research paper, checking the copyright status of images before using them, saving images in a lossless format, compressing images before adding them to a research paper, challenges and limitations of using images in research paper, cameras suitable for taking research images, how can i label my images in research paper inside image itself, popular image labelling tools with their key features:, whether image caption should contain keywords listed in the research paper, whether you need permission to include maps in your research paper .

Research papers must include images and figures because they significantly increase the work’s impact and readability. Images are a useful tool for researchers and authors since, in today’s world, visual information is frequently simpler to absorb and retain than text-only information. Images in research papers can do more than just serve as illustrations; they can also help to clarify difficult concepts, offer further details, and even enhance the text in a way that makes the article more interesting and memorable.

In this post, we’ll examine the use of photographs in research papers and the reasons they’re crucial to academic and scientific writing. We will also go over the many kinds of photos that can be utilised in research papers, their advantages, and the best ways to use them. If you want to write engaging and effective research papers, whether you’re a researcher, student, or scientific enthusiast, you must grasp the significance of images in research papers.

Images are a useful tool for researchers and authors in the scientific community because of their capacity to enthral and instruct. Research papers can benefit from the addition of figures like photographs, drawings, and block diagrams, whether they are taken with a camera or made using software like Canva. To make sure that images have the desired effect, it is crucial to use them efficiently. The advantages of include photos in research papers, the optimal usage methods, as well as the difficulties and restrictions that must be taken into account, will all be covered in this article.

From relevance and clarity to captioning and accessibility, we will examine the key factors that can impact the use and impact of images in research papers. Whether you are a seasoned researcher or just starting out, this discussion will provide valuable insights and guidance for using images effectively in your scientific work.

This article focuses only about the images which are captured from the cameras and block diagrams drawn by the researchers to show the methodology or any other aspect related to research. I have written separate articles on charts/graphs and Tables which you can refer below for further details.

• Maximizing the Impact of Your Research Paper with Graphs and Charts
• Best Practices for Designing and Formatting Tables in Research Papers

Images in research papers serve a variety of functions, from promoting reading and engagement to strengthening comprehension and memory. Many times, using graphics can make it easier for readers to understand complicated ideas and information. For instance, pictures can give a clear visual representation of the research topic, while sketches and block diagrams can help explain intricate systems and processes.

Images can enhance the paper’s readability and comprehension in addition to acting as a textual supplement. A picture can give the research a context in the real world, while a diagram can aid to demonstrate a topic or process that is mentioned in the text. When used well, photographs can create a seamless transition between written and visual data, strengthening the study paper’s impact and retention.

Cross-disciplinary communication can also be facilitated by the use of images in research articles. A block diagram, for instance, can be used to explain a complicated concept to a non-expert audience, while a photograph can draw in readers from many cultural backgrounds. Images can contribute to the accessibility and impact of research articles by bridging the gap between text and visual information.

In conclusion, graphics play a variety of roles in research papers and can significantly improve the work by bringing complicated concepts into focus, enhancing the language, and adding to its readability and retention. Images are a useful tool for researchers and authors who want to produce work that is impactful and accessible, whether they are used to depict study subjects, clarify procedures, or provide context.

The use of images in research papers can bring many benefits, making them valuable tools for researchers and authors. Some of the key benefits include:

• Enhancing readability and engagement: Images can make research papers more visually appealing and engaging, encouraging readers to stay focused and interested in the work. They can also help to break up text-heavy sections and make the paper more visually appealing, which can improve the overall reading experience.
• Improving understanding and retention of information: Research has shown that people tend to remember information better when it is presented in a visual format. By incorporating images into research papers, authors can help readers to better understand and retain information, which can increase the impact of the work.
• Facilitating cross-disciplinary communication: Images can help to bridge the gap between text and visual information, making research papers more accessible to a wider audience. This can be especially useful when communicating complex ideas to non-experts or individuals from different cultural backgrounds.
• Making the paper stand out and be more memorable: Research papers with high-quality, relevant, and clear images are more likely to be remembered and have a greater impact. By using images effectively, authors can make their work stand out from the crowd and increase its impact.

Best Practices to Follow When Adding Pictures to a Research Paper

There are a few best practices to follow when adding pictures to a research paper:

• Use high-resolution images: Make sure the images you use are of high quality and resolution. This will ensure that they look clear and crisp when printed or viewed on a screen.
• Cite the source of the image: Always include a caption for the image and cite the source. This is important for academic integrity and to give credit to the original creator of the image.
• Use relevant images: Choose images that are directly related to the content of the paper and will help to enhance the reader’s understanding.
• Optimize the size and placement of the images: Make sure the images are appropriately sized and placed in the document to ensure they do not detract from the text.
• Check copyright: Make sure the image you are using is not copyrighted and that you have permission to use it.
• Save images in a lossless format: To ensure that images maintain their quality, save them in a lossless format, such as TIFF or PNG.
• Compress images: Reduce the file size of the images before adding them to the paper, this will make the paper more manageable.

Sure, when it comes to using high-resolution images in a research paper, there are a few key things to keep in mind:

• Resolution refers to the number of pixels in an image and is typically measured in dots per inch (dpi) or pixels per inch (ppi). The higher the resolution, the more pixels an image contains, and the sharper and more detailed it will appear.
• For printed materials, a resolution of at least 300 dpi is generally recommended. This will ensure that the images look clear and crisp when printed, even at a larger size.
• For images that will be viewed primarily on a screen, a resolution of 72 dpi is typically sufficient. Keep in mind that higher-resolution images will have larger file sizes, which may slow down loading times.
• It’s also important to keep in mind the size of the image when using it in a research paper. Larger images will take up more space and may cause the paper to be larger in size.
• Always check the resolution and size of the image before using it in your paper. If the resolution is too low, the image may appear pixelated or blurry.

In summary, by using high-resolution images, you ensure that they look clear and crisp when printed or viewed on a screen, also the size of the image should be considered to not make the paper too large.

Citing the source of the images used in a research paper is an important aspect of academic integrity. It gives credit to the original creator of the image and allows readers to locate the image themselves if they wish to see it in more detail.

When including an image in a research paper, it is important to include a caption for the image. The caption should include the following information:

• Image number: This is a number or letter that corresponds to the image, typically in the format “Figure 1” or “Image A.”
• Title: A brief title that describes the image.
• Source: The source of the image, including the name of the creator, the title of the work, and the date of creation.
• Copyright information: If the image is copyrighted, it is important to include the copyright information along with the source. This includes the name of the copyright holder and the year the image was copyrighted.
• Permission: If you obtained permission to use the image, include the name of the individual or organization that granted permission.

It is also important to include a list of figures or a bibliography at the end of the paper that includes all the images used in the paper with the same information provided in the caption.

Citing the source of the image is not only important for academic integrity, but also it gives credit to the original creator and allows the readers to locate the image if they want to see it in more detail. Additionally, it also demonstrates that you have done the necessary research to support the claims made in the paper.

Including pertinent graphics in a research paper can both improve the reader’s comprehension of the material and make the document more interesting.

When choosing photographs, it’s crucial to pick ones that directly relate to the paper’s subject matter and that will enrich the text. An photograph of that species, for instance, would be pertinent if the paper is on that type of animal, as opposed to an image of an entirely different animal.

Example : Pomegranate Fruit Quality Assessment using Image Processing techniques

It’s crucial to take the context of the photographs into account when inserting them in the document. For the reader to grasp the connection between the image and the text, the images should be positioned close to the words to which they are related.

It’s also a good idea to take the image and text’s formats into account; the text should be readable and the image should be presented in an understandable manner.

In summary, using relevant images in a research paper can greatly enhance the reader’s understanding of the content and make the paper more engaging. It is important to choose images that are directly related to the content of the paper and to place them close to the text that they are related to. The format of the image and the text should also be considered to ensure the reader can easily understand the relationship between the image and the text.

Making sure that photographs in a research paper are the right size and location can ensure that they do not distract from the content and that readers can easily understand them.

It’s crucial to make sure that the photos are proportionately sized to the text when it comes to size. Small images could be challenging to see and interpret, while large images might take up a lot of space and make the paper appear cluttered.

It’s crucial to take the paper’s flow into account when deciding where to position things. The sequence of the images should make sense and correspond to the flow of the text. In order for the reader to grasp the connection between the image and the text, they should also be placed close to the text to which they are related.

In order to avoid obstructing the text’s flow and causing the document to appear cluttered, it’s crucial to take the page layout into account while adding photos.

In conclusion, making sure that photographs in a research paper are the right size and placed properly will assist to guarantee that they do not take away from the text and that the reader can easily understand them. To ensure that the reader can easily understand the relationship between the image and the text, images should be appropriately sized in relation to the text, placed in a logical order that follows the progression of the text, and placed close to the text that they are related to. The format of the image and the text should also be taken into consideration. The page layout should also be taken into account to prevent the graphics from obstructing the text’s flow and from giving the document a cluttered appearance.

Before utilising any photos in your research report, it’s crucial to check their copyright status to make sure you have permission to use them.

While each country has its own copyright regulations, generally speaking, an image is protected by copyright if it was made by someone who also owns the rights to it.

You must request permission from the owner of the copyright to use an image in your research work. Usually, you can do this by getting in touch with the copyright owners personally or using a copyright clearance centre.

Additionally, it’s crucial to keep in mind that some photographs can be subject to Creative Commons licences, which permit the image’s restricted use in exchange for correct acknowledgement. It’s crucial to read and comprehend the terms of the licence before utilising the image because these licences can be found on the website where the image is posted.

In conclusion, it’s crucial to verify the copyright status of photographs before utilising them in a research paper to make sure you have the legal right to do so. If you want to use an image in your research work, you must first get the owner’s permission. You should also read and comprehend any Creative Commons licences that may be applicable before utilising the image.

To guarantee that the photographs retain their quality when utilised in a research article, it is crucial to save them in a lossless format.

When an image is saved and opened, there is no loss of image quality thanks to a lossless format because it does not compress the image’s data. TIFF, PNG, and GIF are popular lossless image formats. Compared to “lossy” formats like JPEG, these formats often have greater file sizes, but they maintain the image’s integrity and guarantee that it will seem just as crisp and detailed when opened as when it was saved.

Contrarily, lossy formats, like JPEG, are intended to minimise the file size of an image but do so at the expense of part of the image’s data, which might degrade the image’s quality. This is inappropriate for research articles because they call for high-quality photographs.

Additionally, it’s crucial to keep in mind that when you save an image in a lossless format, you can modify it more than once without it losing quality. This is crucial since you might need to crop or resize the image for the publication.

In summary, Saving images in a lossless format is important to ensure that the images maintain their quality when used in a research paper. Common lossless image formats include TIFF, PNG and GIF, and it’s also important to note that when you save an image in a lossless format, you can open and edit the image multiple times without losing quality.

Compressing images before adding them to a research paper is important to reduce the file size of the images and make the paper more manageable.

File size can be an issue when working with images in a research paper, as large image files can slow down the loading times of the paper and make it more difficult to share or upload. Compressing images can help to reduce the file size of the images and make the paper more manageable.

There are several ways to compress images:

• Lossless compression : This type of compression reduces the file size of the image without losing any image quality. Common lossless compression formats include PNG and GIF.
• Lossy compression : This type of compression reduces the file size of the image by discarding some of the image data. Common lossy compression formats include JPEG.
• Photoshop : you can use photoshop to save for web, this option will give you more control on how much you want to compress the image and the quality of the image.

It’s important to note that lossy compression can result in a loss of image quality, so it’s best to use lossless compression if possible. Additionally, you should always check the image quality after compressing it to make sure that it’s still suitable for the paper.

In summary, compressing images before adding them to a research paper is important to reduce the file size of the images and make the paper more manageable. There are several ways to compress images, such as lossless compression, lossy compression and using photoshop to save for web, but it’s important to keep in mind that lossy compression can result in a loss of image quality, so it’s best to use lossless compression if possible. Additionally, you should always check the image quality after compressing it to make sure that it’s still suitable for the paper.

Challenges and Limitations of Using Images in Research Papers Despite the many benefits of using images in research papers, there are also challenges and limitations to consider. Some of the key challenges and limitations include:

• Cost : Creating high-quality images can be expensive, especially if specialized software or equipment is required. This can be a challenge for researchers and authors working with limited budgets.
• Technical proficiency : Creating clear and effective images requires technical proficiency, which may not be available to all researchers and authors. This can limit the use of images in research papers and the impact they have.
• Copyright and intellectual property issues : Using images from other sources can raise questions of copyright and intellectual property. It is important to be aware of these issues and ensure that all images used in research papers are properly cited and attributed.
• Space limitations : Research papers often have limited space, which can impact the use and impact of images. This may require authors to carefully consider the number and size of images used in their work.
• Accessibility : Some images may not be accessible to all readers, especially those with visual impairments. This can limit the reach and impact of research papers and should be considered when using images.

In conclusion, while the use of images in research papers can bring many benefits, it is important to be aware of the challenges and limitations associated with their use. Whether related to cost, technical proficiency, intellectual property, space limitations, or accessibility, these factors can impact the use and impact of images in research papers. Careful consideration and planning can help to mitigate these challenges and ensure that images are used effectively to enhance the impact of research papers.

When it comes to taking images for a research paper, the most important factor to consider is the quality of the images. While there are many cameras on the market, not all cameras are equally suitable for taking research-related images. Here are some key components to consider when choosing a camera for research purposes:

• Image Resolution : High image resolution is essential for capturing images that are clear, detailed, and suitable for publication. Look for a camera with at least 12 megapixels, but higher is better.
• Image Sensor : The image sensor is the part of the camera that captures light and converts it into a digital image. The larger the image sensor, the more light it can capture, which can result in better image quality. Look for a camera with a full-frame image sensor.
• Lens Quality : The quality of the lens will greatly impact the sharpness and detail of your images. Look for a camera with high-quality lenses, or consider purchasing additional lenses to meet your specific needs.
• Shooting Modes : Research-related images often require specialized shooting modes, such as macro, time-lapse, or slow-motion. Make sure the camera you choose has the shooting modes you need for your research.
• Image Stabilization : Image stabilization helps to reduce camera shake, which can result in blurry images. If you plan on hand-holding the camera, consider a camera with built-in image stabilization.
• Cost : Research cameras can be expensive, so consider your budget when choosing a camera. Some lower-cost cameras may still meet your needs, so it’s important to research your options.

Labelling images within the image itself is a common practice in research papers and is used to provide additional information about the image or to highlight specific parts of the image. There are several methods to label images in a research paper:

• Use annotations or callouts : These are text boxes or shapes that can be added to the image to provide additional information or to highlight specific parts of the image. Annotation tools are available in most photo editing software, including Adobe Photoshop or GIMP.
• Use arrows, lines or shapes : You can use arrows, lines or shapes to draw attention to specific parts of the image or to show relationships between different parts of the image. This is especially useful in images that show complex structures or relationships.
• Use overlay text : You can add overlay text to the image to provide additional information. This is useful in cases where you want to provide information about the image that is not immediately obvious from the image itself.
• Label the axes : In images that represent data, it is important to label the axes to help the reader understand the data being represented. This can be done using annotation tools or by using overlay text.
• Use colour coding : You can use colour coding to highlight specific parts of the image or to show relationships between different parts of the image. This is especially useful in images that show complex structures or relationships.

It is important to use labelling and annotations in a clear and concise manner, as they help to provide additional information about the image and to make the image easier to understand. Labels and annotations should also be placed in a consistent manner throughout the research paper to help maintain visual consistency.

Sometimes you have huge amount of image data with data labelling requirements for your research tasks. Then my advice to you is to outsource the image data for data labelling expert while taking proper care regarding your data protection. I have written a blog post on outsourcing images for data labelling. You can visit the post below.

Outsourcing Research Data Labelling: Risks and Rewards for Researchers

Sometimes research scholars are badly in need of financial assistance. They can not take regular job due to the research work and stress they may come across because of the new job. They can take up data labelling jobs which is a pure mechanical work rather a mental stress. I have written an article on data labelling jobs for researchers. Please visit the blog post below for further details.

Data Annotation (Data Labelling): A  Part-Time Job for Research Scholars

Following is the list of image labelling tools that are commonly used in research papers. The choice of tool will depend on the specific needs of the research paper and the level of detail required in the labelling and annotations.

• Adobe Photoshop : Adobe Photoshop is a professional-grade image editing software that has robust features for annotating and labelling images. It allows you to add text boxes, shapes, arrows, and lines to an image and also has a variety of brush tools for more detailed labelling.
• GIMP : GIMP is a free and open-source image editing software that has similar features to Adobe Photoshop. It allows you to add text boxes, shapes, and arrows to an image and also has a variety of brush tools for detailed labelling.
• Inkscape : Inkscape is a free and open-source vector graphics editor that is often used for annotating and labelling images. It has robust features for adding text boxes, shapes, and lines to an image, and also allows you to import and export images in a variety of file formats.
• Microsoft PowerPoint : Microsoft PowerPoint is a presentation software that has basic image labelling tools. It allows you to add text boxes, shapes, and arrows to an image but is limited in its capabilities compared to Adobe Photoshop or GIMP.
• Canva : Canva is a user-friendly design tool that has a variety of features for annotating and labelling images. It allows you to add text boxes, shapes, and arrows to an image and also has a variety of design elements that can be added to an image.

These are just a few examples of image-labelling tools that are commonly used in research papers. The choice of tool will depend on the specific needs of the research paper and the level of detail required in the labelling and annotations.

It is recommended to include relevant keywords in the caption of images in a research paper. Keywords are an important aspect of search engine optimization (SEO) and can help increase the visibility of the paper online. By including keywords in the caption, you make it easier for readers to understand the context and content of the image, and you also help search engines better understand the context of the paper. Additionally, including keywords in the caption can also help establish a clear connection between the image and the rest of the paper, making it easier for readers to understand the overall narrative of the research.

For maps created by government agencies (e.g. USGS, NASA), copyright restrictions may apply, but generally these maps can be used for educational and research purposes without obtaining permission.

For maps created by commercial map providers (e.g. Google Maps, Mapbox), the use of the map may be subject to licensing agreements and usage restrictions. In these cases, it is important to review the terms and conditions of use and to obtain the necessary permission before including the map in your research paper.

For custom maps created by individuals or organizations, it is important to obtain permission from the creator before using the map in your research paper. This includes both maps created by yourself as well as maps created by others that you would like to include in your paper.

It is always best to check the copyright and usage restrictions for any maps you plan to include in your research paper, and to obtain the necessary permission if required, in order to ensure that you are using the maps in a legal and ethical manner.

In conclusion, the inclusion of graphics in research articles can significantly affect their clarity, interest level, and overall impact. Images can enhance research papers’ clarity, depth, and visual appeal, allowing authors to convey their findings and concepts. But it’s crucial to use images wisely, keeping in mind things like relevancy, clarity, captioning, and accessibility. Researchers and authors should be aware of both the advantages and disadvantages of utilising images in their work, whether they choose to do so with photographs, drawings, or block diagrams. Researchers can improve the impact of their research papers and more effectively explain their findings by using photographs strategically.

Researchers can improve the impact of their research papers and more effectively explain their findings by using photographs strategically. It is ultimately up to each researcher and author to harness the power of images in research papers in order to make their work stand out.

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How to Cite an Image | Photographs, Figures, Diagrams

Published on March 25, 2021 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on June 28, 2022.

To cite an image, you need an in-text citation and a corresponding reference entry. The reference entry should list:

• The creator of the image
• The year it was published
• The title of the image
• The format of the image (e.g., “photograph”)
• Its location or container (e.g. a website , book , or museum)

The format varies depending on where you accessed the image and which citation style you’re using: APA , MLA , or Chicago .

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Table of contents

Citing an image in apa style, citing an image in mla style, citing an image in chicago style, frequently asked questions about citations.

In an APA Style reference entry for an image found on a website , write the image title in italics, followed by a description of its format in square brackets. Include the name of the site and the URL. The APA in-text citation just includes the photographer’s name and the year.

The information included after the title and format varies for images from other containers (e.g. books , articles ).

When you include the image itself in your text, you’ll also have to format it as a figure and include appropriate copyright/permissions information .

Images viewed in person

For an artwork viewed at a museum, gallery, or other physical archive, include information about the institution and location. If there’s a page on the institution’s website for the specific work, its URL can also be included.

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In an MLA Works Cited entry for an image found online , the title of the image appears in quotation marks, the name of the site in italics. Include the full publication date if available, not just the year.

The MLA in-text citation normally just consists of the author’s last name.

The information included after the title and format differs for images contained within other source types, such as books and articles .

If you include the image itself as a figure, make sure to format it correctly .

A citation for an image viewed in a museum (or other physical archive, e.g. a gallery) includes the name and location of the institution instead of website information.

In Chicago style , images may just be referred to in the text without need for a citation or bibliography entry.

If you have to include a full Chicago style image citation , however, list the title in italics, add relevant information about the image format, and add a URL at the end of the bibliography entry for images consulted online.

Chicago also offers an alternative author-date citation style . Examples of image citations in this style can be found here .

For an image viewed in a museum, gallery, or other physical archive, you can again just refer to it in the text without a formal citation. If a citation is required, list the institution and the city it is located in at the end of the bibliography entry.

The main elements included in image citations across APA , MLA , and Chicago style are the name of the image’s creator, the image title, the year (or more precise date) of publication, and details of the container in which the image was found (e.g. a museum, book , website ).

In APA and Chicago style, it’s standard to also include a description of the image’s format (e.g. “Photograph” or “Oil on canvas”). This sort of information may be included in MLA too, but is not mandatory.

Untitled sources (e.g. some images ) are usually cited using a short descriptive text in place of the title. In APA Style , this description appears in brackets: [Chair of stained oak]. In MLA and Chicago styles, no brackets are used: Chair of stained oak.

For social media posts, which are usually untitled, quote the initial words of the post in place of the title: the first 160 characters in Chicago , or the first 20 words in APA . E.g. Biden, J. [@JoeBiden]. “The American Rescue Plan means a $7,000 check for a single mom of four. It means more support to safely.”

MLA recommends quoting the full post for something short like a tweet, and just describing the post if it’s longer.

In APA , MLA , and Chicago style citations for sources that don’t list a specific author (e.g. many websites ), you can usually list the organization responsible for the source as the author.

If the organization is the same as the website or publisher, you shouldn’t repeat it twice in your reference:

• In APA and Chicago, omit the website or publisher name later in the reference.
• In MLA, omit the author element at the start of the reference, and cite the source title instead.

If there’s no appropriate organization to list as author, you will usually have to begin the citation and reference entry with the title of the source instead.

Check if your university or course guidelines specify which citation style to use. If the choice is left up to you, consider which style is most commonly used in your field.

• APA Style is the most popular citation style, widely used in the social and behavioral sciences.
• MLA style is the second most popular, used mainly in the humanities.
• Chicago notes and bibliography style is also popular in the humanities, especially history.
• Chicago author-date style tends to be used in the sciences.

Other more specialized styles exist for certain fields, such as Bluebook and OSCOLA for law.

The most important thing is to choose one style and use it consistently throughout your text.

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

Caulfield, J. (2022, June 28). How to Cite an Image | Photographs, Figures, Diagrams. Scribbr. Retrieved June 18, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/citing-sources/cite-an-image/

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How do I put figures (images, photos, bar graphs, charts) into my paper in APA style?

• Figures are any type of graphical illustration other than a table.
• They are used to illustrate a point and deepen readers' understanding.

Usage Guidelines:

• Figures must add to the reader’s understanding of the content of the paper; they should not be added just to provide visual interest.  For more information, see section 7.22 of the APA Publication Manual (7th ed.).
• Figures must be used ethically. Copyright laws must be followed; simply citing a source does not make its use copyright compliant. A good rule of thumb: Use figures from ClipArt, Creative Commons, or the library’s rights-cleared image database, Image Quest.

References and Citations:

• You must provide complete citations for figures and tables in your paper and in your reference list. 

References with NoodleTools:

• If the figure came from an image database, such as Image Quest, choose Painting, Sculpture, or Photograph from NoodleTools’s citation type drop-down menu.
• If the figure came from within a source like a book, an article, or a web site, choose a citation type that matches the source.

Citations Guidelines:

• Appears above the figure, bolded
• The number will reflect if it is the first (1), second (2), third (3), etc. figure in the paper.
• Figure Title
• The title appears one double-spaced line below the figure number in italics title face.
• The note appears below the figure and describes what the figure is about and how it relates to the content of the paper. 
• If the image was taken from a source and is not clipart, the note should include a copyright attribution statement.
• If the figure was taken from source material, a reference for the figures should be included in the reference list.

EXAMPLE FIGURE

• Figure numbers are used in the text (a "call out") to refer to and explain the presence of the figures.

For more information, see:

• APA Guide > References > Images & Audiovisual Media
• APA Academic Writer > Learn > Sample Figures
• Research and Library
• Last Updated May 10, 2021
• Views 351855
• Answered By Kerry Louvier

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Can You Put Pictures in a Research Paper? (Answered!)

by  Antony W

July 6, 2022

The conventional format of a research paper doesn’t have room for pictures. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t include images in your assignment.

You can add non-textual elements such as pictures, charts, vectors, and graphs in your research paper provided they’re relevant to the research question. Such elements are useful because they can make your work not only visually appealing but also more descriptive.  

To be clear, it’s not necessary to include pictures in your research paper. So your professor won’t penalize you or under grade your work if you fail to include non-textual elements in the assignment.

Sometimes, though, it can be very useful to include pictures in your research, and for a number of reasons.

Can a You Put Pictures in a Research Paper? (4 Reasons to Include Them) 

1. Non-textual Elements are Useful for Showing Examples 

The consensus in research paper writing is that students must support claims that they make using logical reason, evidence, and examples. Pictures, and especially illustration and charts, can come in handy in this kind of a scenario. 

Say you’re investigating the effect of a drug on bacterial, for example. In this case, you can use a graph to demonstrate a before and after effect of the experiment.

2. Pictures Help to Explain a Process 

Some research papers involve complex process that you can’t easily explain in words alone. Therefore, adding an illustration can go a long way to make your ideas clear to the audience reading your paper.

3. Pictures Help to Clarify Terms in Research Paper Assignments

A chart or a scheme can help you to explain terms that would be otherwise difficult to explain in words. By using an image in such a scenario, you make terms structured and very easy to understand.  

4. Pictures Can Motivate Readers to Keep Reading

Research papers are long assignments, and sometimes they can be quite tedious to read in one sitting. We’re talking about more than 15 pages of written work, which requires a lot of patience to review from the title page all the way to the appendix.

An effective way to keep your audience reading, regardless of how long your research paper is, is to include relevant images to explain some concepts. Often, the illustrations break the monotony of scanning paragraphs and walls of text, hence keeping the reader attached to the research paper.

What Types of Images Can You Include in a Research Paper? 

1. standard pictures .

We can define a picture as a painting, drawing, or a representation of an object in a photograph.

While there are no strict rules to the type of picture you can use in your research paper, you do have to make sure whatever you choose adequately fits into your writing.

You should also make sure that the picture you choose to include in your research paper is:

• Clear and visible 
• Self-descriptive. Readers should look at the image and know straight away why you included it in the paper.
• Closely related to the context and is within the scope of your research question
• Legal to use. Give credit to the image in your paper if it’s not your own.

There a few rules you need to observe when including pictures in your research paper. Generally, you can:

• Add a picture at the end of the paper, inside the paper separately from the text, or inside the text.
• Each picture must have a name, description, and a number
• Include information about the owner of the picture so you don’t violate their right to their own content.

You don’t have to worry about copyright if the pictures you intend to use in your research paper are your own.

Graphs and Charts 

Graphs and charts can explain complex concepts in few words and they can be quite handy in helping you solve several problems at once.

They are useful especially when you want to:

• Give a graphical illustration of statistics
• Give a detailed comparison between two or more phenomenon or objects
• To show the relationship between variables
• Demonstrate meaning, size, and level of influence of certain phenomena 

The benefit of using charts and graphs is that they make your research paper easy to read. Moreover, by presenting a huge amount of information in a laconic way, readers can easily understand concepts without having to read long text and multiple paragraphs.

For you, the writer, using graphs and charts means ensuring that your paper is more comprehensive and concise – without a trace of unnecessary words or irrelevant materials added to the assignment.

How Do You Cite Images in Your Research Paper? 

It’s very easy to cite an image, chart, or graph in a research paper. All you have to do is to make sure that the image includes:

• The name of the author
• The year the image was taken
• The title of the image
• The format of the image and additional details
• The date you accessed the image
• The source of the image

With this information, it should be easy for you to cite any image that you decide to include in your research paper.

Tips to Use Pictures, Charts, and Graphs in Research Paper 

First, ask your instructor to confirm if it’s appropriate to use pictures, charts, and graphs in your research paper. They’ll give you the necessary information to help you make the right decision.

Focus more on adding charts and graphs in your work, as these tend to be more relevant in illustrating mathematical, economics, and scientific principles.

Don’t use many images in your research paper. As significant as non-textual elements are, using more than you should, unless slowed by the theme of the assignment, isn’t necessary.

You should NOT include a picture in your research paper for decorative purpose. Leave cute captions to blogging platforms such as Medium and Buzzfeed. Make sure the image, graph, or chart that you include in your work relates to the question you wish to investigate in the essay.

About the author 

Antony W is a professional writer and coach at Help for Assessment. He spends countless hours every day researching and writing great content filled with expert advice on how to write engaging essays, research papers, and assignments.

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Pictures in Research Papers: A How-To Guide

Pictures are powerful tools in the field of research. They can convey complex ideas and support claims made by authors without taking up much space on a page. When used effectively, pictures can make an article more engaging for readers, allowing them to better comprehend the information being presented. In this article, we will explore how researchers can incorporate images into their work in order to maximize its impact and usefulness. Specifically, we will provide a how-to guide that outlines the best practices for using pictures when writing research papers. We’ll cover topics such as selecting appropriate images; citing sources correctly; and ensuring copyright compliance while providing examples from published academic literature to illustrate each point along the way.

I. Introduction

Ii. benefits of using pictures in research papers, iii. types of visuals used for research projects, iv. finding appropriate graphics and images for your paper, v. guidelines for proper use of visuals in academic writing, vi. copyright laws regarding picture usage and citing sources, vii. conclusion.

It is no secret that knowledge and information are among the most valuable resources for any academic research paper. In a world where data collection, analysis and interpretation can make or break your argument, it is crucial to employ all the tools available to create an impactful report. One of these tools is visuals – pictures, diagrams and other graphics.

Including images in research papers has its advantages as well as challenges; not least being how difficult it may be to find appropriate visuals without running into copyright issues. But when used correctly, visual elements can help draw attention from readers by offering them something tangible which they would otherwise have difficulty imagining in their minds’ eye.

• Pictures allow you to present complex topics simply:

By using diagrams or illustrations instead of long paragraphs filled with text alone, readers can understand concepts quickly due solely to the power of visuals. This way ideas become more clear even for those who don’t know too much about a particular subject.

• Images provide context:

: A picture speaks louder than words – this phrase could not be truer when looking at scientific studies and reports whose findings depend on factors such as environment conditions etc.. Pictures give us insights which would otherwise remain invisible if only numbers were presented.

Pictures can be an effective way of engaging readers and bringing research papers to life. Not only do images help readers better understand the concepts being presented, they also provide visual cues that allow complex ideas to be digested quickly.

Using pictures in a research paper has numerous advantages. For one, it gives authors an opportunity to break up long blocks of text into easily digestible segments without sacrificing quality or clarity. This can make lengthy documents easier for researchers to review. Pictures may also offer supplemental information about the study topic beyond what is discussed in words alone.

• Research Papers with Pictures : Including visuals in a scientific article provides opportunities for more accurate interpretations by readers and reviewers alike.
• Making Complex Ideas Accessible: Images can often explain highly technical terms or difficult-to-understand concepts which are otherwise too complicated to describe using language alone.

An essential part of any research project is its visuals. It allows the researcher to visually illustrate what has been discovered, making it easier for others to understand and assess their findings. As such, careful consideration should be taken in regards to which visual types are used for a given study.

• Charts & Graphs: These are perhaps the most common type of visuals used when presenting data-driven results. Charts and graphs make trends much easier to spot and can provide an overall look at how certain variables correlate or interact with one another.
• Infographics: Infographics take more complex information – usually from multiple sources – and condense it into a single image that’s easy for people to digest quickly. They also often use bright colors, icons, illustrations, and other design elements that keep readers engaged while learning about your research.

In addition to these graphical forms of illustration many researchers opt out using photographs in order put forth their ideas even more effectively. Photos help capture events as they happen without relying on long descriptions alone; thus allowing readers see ‘the big picture’ firsthand by providing them with key contextual details pertaining particular subject matter.

Therefore depending on what kind data needs be presented all three methods – charts/graphs , inforgraphicsand photographs could be effectively utilized within same document produce meaningful insights concerning respective field work .

In order to engage readers and increase the visual appeal of a research paper, finding suitable graphics and images is essential. These materials are an important part of any good presentation, so selecting them carefully can make or break your work.

What kinds of visuals?

A variety of graphics exist that may be used in papers – diagrams, figures, charts etc. Different types should be chosen based on what best suits the argument being presented:

• Charts , such as bar graphs, line graphs or pie charts which are useful for displaying numerical data;
• Figures , including illustrations and photographs;

Visuals such as diagrams, charts and illustrations can be powerful additions to academic writing. To maximize their utility, it is important to adhere to the guidelines outlined below.

• Incorporate visuals into your text: While visuals are effective for conveying information quickly and clearly, they should not stand alone in a document. Rather than simply listing figures or relying solely on images, authors should incorporate visual elements into the flow of their work. Doing so will make them easier for readers to comprehend.
• Make sure your visuals are accurate: When using any type of graphic representation—including photographs—it’s essential that they accurately represent what you’re trying to convey with words. If there is doubt about whether or not a particular image conveys data correctly or reflects reality properly, avoid it entirely.
• Can research papers have pictures? : Yes! Pictures can help enhance an academic paper by providing context and depth; however remember that all imagery must be used judiciously and accurately within an essay otherwise detract from its overall quality.

When it comes to pictures, copyright laws provide a unique set of considerations for authors and researchers. Not only must writers be aware of the potential risks associated with the usage of images online, but they must also make sure that any illustrations they do use are correctly credited in accordance with legal guidelines.

• Copyright Laws: Every image is protected under copyright law from the moment it’s created. In general, individuals or businesses who create an original work have exclusive rights over its publication and distribution.

It’s important to note that these copyrights don’t just cover photographs —they also apply to other kinds of artwork like drawings or digital renderings. Any time you wish to reproduce an image without express permission from its creator, you need to understand what’s permissible according to fair-use exemptions outlined by your local jurisdiction. Such exemptions typically permit limited use for academic research purposes as long as proper attribution is provided.

Additionally, research papers can include pictures if those graphics are properly cited alongside them in order for readers—and academics—to identify their originators. It’s necessary then that each source gets detailed credit at either the end or beginning of a paper before presentation takes place; this will help demonstrate respect towards others’ intellectual property while protecting yourself against plagiarism charges which could damage reputations both professional and otherwise!

Final Thoughts

Having discussed the research question, it is clear that pictures can enhance the message of a paper. Visual aids have an impact on our understanding and comprehension of ideas; they also help us to break up text-heavy sections into something more digestible. As such, incorporating relevant images in scholarly works is beneficial for both readers and authors alike.

However, caution should be taken when including visuals as too many or inappropriate ones may distract from the overall content rather than enhancing it. When selecting appropriate images to include in your work always make sure they are clearly labelled with sources cited, complement existing material without supplanting written words and most importantly – never forget about copyright! With careful consideration you can ensure that any visual additions further add value to your research paper instead of distracting from its purpose.

The inclusion of pictures in research papers can help authors communicate complex ideas more effectively. As demonstrated, the selection and placement of visuals are essential components that should be taken into account when preparing a paper for publication. With proper consideration given to these elements, researchers will be able to construct cohesive visual representations within their works that enhance reader comprehension and interest while providing an overall aesthetic appeal.

Kraemer Family Library

How do i design a research poster: using images.

• Getting Started
• Sections of a Poster
• Design Tips

Using Images

• Formatting A Poster
• Poster Examples

One way to add meaning to your poster is to use images.

• You can find images on the web but you should be concerned with using images legally and ethically. Use the resources to the right to locate free and reusable images. 
• You can legally use photos in four ways: 1) find photos that are licensed as  Creative Commons (flickr) , 2) ask permission from the photographer, 3) buy your photos from a stock photo site (e.g. iStock ) or 4) take your own photos.
• Generally speaking, photos as background images rarely look good. The image tends to overpower the text and make the poster hard to read. (If you must, you can fade out your image.) Instead, try using a background color or boxes to set off your text and images.

It is good practice that you identify yourself as an affiliate of the University of Colorado Colorado Springs and use UCCS official logos for any poster created while you are a student at UCCS. Do not create your own logo! This holds true with most universities, but check with your individual institution to see what their logo requirements are.

• UCCS Offical Logos

Citing Images

As with any sources for a research project, you must properly cite your images. Below are several quick guides to aid you in citing your sources. 

• Citing Creative Commons Materials A webpage discussing best practices for attribution of CC-licensed materials. Give examples of correct and incorrect citations.
• APA Style Guide from Purdue OWL A quick guide to APA citation style
• MLA Style Guide from Purdue OWL A quick guide to MLA citation style
• Chicago Manual of Style Guide from the Purdue OWL A quick guide to Chicago style

FInding Images

• Stock Photos
• Google images

FreeImages  is a fantastic resource.

For photos that are free to use, select Free Files  after completing a search.

• clker.com Archives of royalty free vector clipart in the public domain
• everystockphoto Each photo has license information in the right hand column. Click on the license type to learn what you can and cannot do with the photo.
• PDclipart Public domain clip art in categories you can browse.
• Image*After Images that are in the public domain and are available for personal and commercial uses.

If you are doing a project on local or university history, check with the university library and public library archives to see if there are any historical photographs that are relevant to your poster.

• UCCS Archives

Note:  Documents and photographs from the UCCS Archives must be credited with " Courtesy, UCCS Archives, Kraemer Family Library, University of Colorado Colorado Springs" in the publication or display that they are used in. 

Accessing ARTstor Free Images:

ARTstor provides free use of images for noncommercial, scholarly and academic purposes through the Image for Academic Publishing (IAP) initiative.

In order to find images that are free to use add the keyword " IAP " to your search.

For example, if you are looking for images of works created by Leonardo Da Vinci you would search " Da Vinci IAP "

You can find more information about the IAP initiative here . 

• ARTstor This link opens in a new window Database of more than 300,000 digital images and associated data. ARTstor covers multiple time periods and cultures, and documents the fields of architecture, painting, sculpture, photography, decorative arts, and many other forms of visual culture. Users can search, view, and download images.

Google Image Search is quick and easy to use, and more often than not you can find the image you're looking for without too much effort.  However, because it searches for image names and contextual words on the basis of popularity, results tend to be uneven.

How to Find Free or Public Domain Images:

1. Do an initial search in the search box, similar to how you would search Google.

2. Under the search box on the results page, locate the Search Tools  option. 

3. When you click  Search Tools  and additional line of options will appear.

4. In order to narrow your search to images that you can reuse, click Usage Rights , which will display a drop down of options. 

5. You can only choose one option at a time, but each option will define a specific circumstance for reuse, choose the one that is appropriate to your activity.

Flickr is an online photo management and sharing software which hosts the personal collections of its users and public archives. While many of the images are high-resolution and unaltered the quality will vary depending on the creator. You do not have to create an account to use flickr, just look for the search box in the top right hand corner to start. 

Flickr is also home to " The Commons ," which includes the collections of over 45 institutions, including NASA, the Imperial War Museum, and the New York Public Library. 

Finding Free and Public Domain Images: 

1. Do a search for images that you would like to find in the search box.

2. Beneath the black heading bar there is an option to choose the license type, using the License drop down.

3. To narrow your results to only those that you can reuse, choose the Creative Commons option. 

With the Creative Commons option you can also choose if you would like to find images that can be reused for commercial purposes or that can be modified.

4. You can check the Copyright restrictions on images, by clicking on an image and locating the copyright symbols to the bottom right of the image. The Some rights reserved link will take you to an explanation of how you may use the image.

Copyright and Images

• Determining Copyright for Public Domain Images
• Creative Commons

Determining the Copyright for images from the internet can be tricky. Here are some resources to learn more about the topic.

• Digital Images and Copyright A brief guide from Colgate University about using digital images from the internet.
• DIRC: Digital Image Rights Computator An interactive program from the Visual Resources Association that is designed to help users determine the copyright status of digital images. The computator takes you through a series of questions for each image to help you determine the rights of an image.
• Stanford Copyright and Fair Use Provides in depth information, explanation, and examples of fair uses cases

Content which has a Creative Commons license is free to download, adapt, distribute, and transmit without having to ask permission.  Depending on the license, however, there may be certain conditions: you may only be able to use the content for educational purposes, you may have to give attribution, etc.  (Licensing characteristics can be found to the left of this box).  Because licenses vary, always be sure to check the exact terms of the license before using an image.

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• Last Updated: Jun 12, 2024 12:06 PM
• URL: https://libguides.uccs.edu/poster

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Can I Include Pictures and Graphs in a Research Paper

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Can you put pictures in a research paper

A lot of people ask themselves when writing a research paper “Can I include pictures in a research paper?” Of course, yes. Another traditional way of presenting experimental data in a scientific publication is their graphic representation.

Most often, it is used in articles and research papers, very rarely, when creating abstracts, and never, in summaries and annotations. This is usually an image, necessarily accompanied by a corresponding text, explaining the features of its experimental origin and information purpose.

Can a research paper have pictures, graphs, charts?

Can you use images in a research paper? The answer is yes. Adequate visual representation of the obtained data is able to demonstrate more clearly (in comparison, only with the text or table) the differences, the trend of change, the nature of the interrelations and the very existence of the studied indicators.

The informational essence of such images can reflect either quantitative characteristics obtained by means of measurements or qualitative features, in the form of demonstrating the visual characteristics of the indicator under study (for example, using photography or “artistic image”).

As for the information purpose, it is due to the author’s intentions to draw the reader’s attention to certain features of the results obtained. This intention may consist of the desire to demonstrate either the very fact of the appearance of the changes, or their magnitude, or the tendency, or the type of dependence, etc. We hope that we answered your question if can you use pictures in a research paper.

Types of graphic images

The author’s choice of such a destination determines which kind of graphic image is most rational to use for this purpose, in order to prove most reasonably either a solution of a specific scientific problem or a scientific goal of research. Usually, graphics (1), histograms (2), diagrams (3), schemes (4), drawing images (5) and photographs (6) are used for graphical representation of results. As a rule, the first three of these views are created on the basis of the corresponding tables (not necessarily listed in the article), where the quantitative values (point or averaged) of the primary data are presented.

These values can vary either under the influence of different experimental conditions, or in time, or under the influence of different intensities of the same controlled factor, or reflect the relationship of the two indicators. With the help of the fourth type, it is possible to visually demonstrate the methodological, logical procedures of the scientific approach, the experimental conditions, and so on. And the other types (5 and 6) are mainly used to prove the very fact of the receipt (occurrence) of a qualitative result that cannot be quantified or to demonstrate the appearance of research equipment, questionnaires, questionnaires, etc.

How to include figures in a research paper?

In the process of creating a research paper , after the question “Can research papers include pictures?” and “how to write an introduction for a research paper” you ask yourself “How to add pictures, graphs or charts?” All the listed types of graphical representation of data are recommended to be prepared with the help of the corresponding “program wizards” of the editor “Word” or “Excel.”

It is practically convenient to do this in a special file (for example, “Drawings”) or in a separate file for each figure with the appropriate name (for example, Figure 1). This is due to the fact that according to generally accepted publication terminology, “drawing” refers to any graphic image given in the article, beginning with the scheme and ending with the traditional “artistic” drawing (photograph).

Why can research papers include graphs? In the research paper, only the term “drawing” is always used to refer to the graph, to the histogram, to the diagram, to the diagram, to the “art image,” and to the photograph. The reference to such a drawing is usually given in parentheses with the abbreviation of this word, for example, (Fig. 1), immediately after the first mention of it in the text, in the form of relevant information, and then providing the figure itself.

Can research papers have pictures?

Now when you know the answer to the questions “Can a research paper include pictures?” or “Can a research paper have pictures?” you can start creating “research paper’s drawings.” It is desirable that each separate graphic image, regardless of its variety, is placed on one separate page with the possibility of copying and pasting into the desired place of text.

It is most advisable to do this after printing the entire article, copying the desired drawing (from its file) to a new page after the one where it is referenced for the first time. But you can insert a picture and immediately after a specific sentence, which shows the data presented on it, and the corresponding link. Can you include pictures in a research paper?

Yes, but this will require subsequent special editing of the text on the page, before and after the inserted picture. Therefore, despite the fact that the link to the picture is presented on the same page, prepared in a separate file in advance, it is preferable to place it outside the text, immediately on the next separate page. And after referring to it on the previous page, simply, continue the test description of the other results.

With this arrangement, there can be a link to several pictures on one page, and they will be presented one after the other, on subsequent separate pages. The advantages of such a separate layout of the “drawing,” as well as for the table, are associated with a significant simplification of the text editing of the article and providing greater visibility of the data presented in it.

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Can research papers have graphs?

We will answer the question “Can a research paper include graphs?” Yes, it can. To demonstrate the quantitative differences that indicate a comparative change in the same indicator studied in your research paper, a bar graph is usually used – the Gantt chart.

Moreover, it should be emphasized that a clearly visible difference between the columns of the mean values (without the image ± 5) may not serve as a convincing argument in favor of the fact that one of them is larger or smaller than the other.

This is explained by the fact that such a difference between the “average arithmetic” was due to the presence among the averaged values of the ejection (or unexpectedly large or small value).

It is usually a consequence of the influence of the probabilistic factor uncontrolled by the experimenter and indicates a lack of methodological purity of the experiment. Therefore, one must present on the histogram their average quadratic deviations for visual proof of the reliability of the quantitative differences of the average values of the indicator (if it is not done in the text or in the table).

To do this, it is necessary to focus on ending the segments corresponding to the value “± 8”, passing through the upper points of the columns being compared. Demonstrated differences of the indicator are objectively existing (statistically reliable) only when the lower end of the segment (-8) of a larger value is above the upper end of the segment (+8) of a smaller value (i.e., these halves of segments with q values do not overlap).

This “non-overlapping” graphically demonstrates the existence of a statistically significant difference between the comparative mean statistical values and is the basis for their scientific interpretation. If no changes have been recorded, or the apparent differences (based on overlapping the mean square deviation values ± 5) are statistically unreliable, or insignificant, although reliable, then the histogram is not practical. Quite enough, just mention this fact in the text, and in case of urgent need, refer to the appropriate table.

Can you use graphs in research papers? When constructing a histogram, it is necessary to sign the names of the axes (vertical and horizontal), and in relation to the vertical axis, also create a scale with divisions of a certain dimension. The accuracy of these divisions (the frequency of marking on the vertical axis) should allow to visually determining the value of the displayed property of the compared values of the indicator. At the same time, the accuracy of the divisions must be such that it is visually possible to easily determine the smallest difference between the columns shown – the averaged values.

There is no such special scale for a pie chart, so it is sufficient to print the names of each sector corresponding to the property displayed to it and its dimension (usually, in percent,%).

Both for the histogram and for the diagram, it is necessary to provide a clear visual distinction between the compared columns or sectors, not only due to different heights or areas but also by their “coloring.” In this case, it is undesirable to use different colors, because, in a journal article, this is not allowed by editorial rules (all drawings should only be black and white).

Use instead of color, different hatching, and, for neighboring columns and sectors; it is clearly distinguishable (for example, right lateral, and left – oblique or pointed). The “contrast” of perception provided in this way should be more expressive, the less compared the differences in values that are near (on the right and on the left) from its column. The selected black-and-white “texture-hatching” filling the inner space of a column or sector should not make it difficult (mask) to read the inscriptions and figures located in them.

Can a research paper include charts?

To demonstrate the trend of change (and not the magnitude of the differences) over time or under the influence of different intensities of the same factor, or for graphical representation of the mathematical relationship between the indicators, it is more expedient to use the chart in research papers and also for creating your schedule.

Can research papers have charts? Thanks to the graphic image, the tendency-direction, intensity and nature of the revealed changes or interrelations are more clearly monitored. For this, it is necessary to always sign both axes of the coordinates of the graph (both ordinates and abscissas) with the names of the corresponding indicators or only time units for the abscissa axis.

In addition, both these axes must have a scale (a division with the corresponding digitization), the accuracy of which allows us to determine the numerical values of any point on the graph.

First of all, this refers to the experimentally obtained points-values on the basis of which the graph is constructed. Due to this, visual detection of the existence or absence of interrelation between the studied indicators is simplified, which can serve as a basis for further refinement of it by special statistical methods. In this case, it should be stressed once again that it is impossible to determine which of these two interrelated indicators, and which function, cannot be done by any statistical methods.

To determine the cause-effect relationship between the indicators studied, and in such a way to confirm the fact of the change of one of them, only under the influence of the other, it is necessary to conduct purposeful experiments to identify which of them is a function and which is the argument. It is not advisable to construct a graph if there are fewer than four experimentally obtained or averaged values (points) for each of the indicators considered.

This is explained by the fact that it is difficult to determine from three or fewer points a reliably existing trend of change (especially nonlinear). It is more expedient to present such data with either a text or a histogram (with compared columns-values), which will fairly well reflect the changes obtained (without claiming a tendency). And the author does not need to discuss their orientation, but rather confine oneself, only by a comparative analysis of the available quantitative differences (more, less).

Its result can be presented, for example, with a text comment that at such and such a value of one indicator the value of the other was such-and-such, and for another such-and-such. Also, the article should not use a graph in research paper if in the experiment the changes of the same index are fixed under the individual influence of different experimental factors (conditions). For this, it is better to use a bar graph, where the names of these different factors will be listed horizontally, and the property of the indicator under study, whose values correspond to the effect of different experimental factors, will be shown vertically.

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Apple Intelligence powers new Writing Tools, which help you find just the right words virtually everywhere you write. With enhanced language capabilities, you can summarize an entire lecture in seconds, get the short version of a long group thread, and minimize unnecessary distractions with prioritized notifications.

Explore new features for writing, focus, and communication.

Transform how you communicate using intelligent Writing Tools that can proofread your text, rewrite different versions until the tone and wording are just right, and summarize selected text with a tap. Writing Tools are available nearly everywhere you write, including third-party apps.

Priority notifications appear at the top of the stack, letting you know what to pay attention to at a glance. And notifications are summarized, so you can scan them faster.

Priority messages in Mail elevate time-sensitive messages to the top of your inbox — like an invitation that has a deadline today or a check-in reminder for your flight this afternoon.

Tap to reveal a summary of a long email in the Mail app and cut to the chase. You can also view summaries of email right from your inbox.

Just hit record in the Notes or Phone apps to capture audio recordings and transcripts. Apple Intelligence generates summaries of your transcripts, so you can get to the most important information at a glance.

Reduce Interruptions is an all-new Focus that understands the content of your notifications and shows you the ones that might need immediate attention, like a text about picking up your child from daycare later today.

Use a Smart Reply in Mail to quickly draft an email response with all the right details. Apple Intelligence can identify questions you were asked in an email and offer relevant selections to include in your response. With a few taps you’re ready to send a reply with key questions answered.

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Apple Intelligence enables delightful new ways to express yourself visually. Create fun, original images and brand-new Genmoji that are truly personal to you. Turn a rough sketch into a related image that complements your notes with Image Wand. And make a custom memory movie based on the description you provide.

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Produce fun, original images in seconds with the Image Playground experience right in your apps. Create an entirely new image based on a description, suggested concepts, and even a person from your Photos library. You can easily adjust the style and make changes to match a Messages thread, your Freeform board, or a slide in Keynote.

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Apple Intelligence is designed to protect your privacy at every step. It’s integrated into the core of your iPhone, iPad, and Mac through on-device processing. So it’s aware of your personal information without collecting your personal information. And with groundbreaking Private Cloud Compute, Apple Intelligence can draw on larger server-based models, running on Apple silicon, to handle more complex requests for you while protecting your privacy.

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Introducing Apple’s On-Device and Server Foundation Models

At the 2024 Worldwide Developers Conference , we introduced Apple Intelligence, a personal intelligence system integrated deeply into iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia.

Apple Intelligence is comprised of multiple highly-capable generative models that are specialized for our users’ everyday tasks, and can adapt on the fly for their current activity. The foundation models built into Apple Intelligence have been fine-tuned for user experiences such as writing and refining text, prioritizing and summarizing notifications, creating playful images for conversations with family and friends, and taking in-app actions to simplify interactions across apps.

In the following overview, we will detail how two of these models — a ~3 billion parameter on-device language model, and a larger server-based language model available with Private Cloud Compute and running on Apple silicon servers — have been built and adapted to perform specialized tasks efficiently, accurately, and responsibly. These two foundation models are part of a larger family of generative models created by Apple to support users and developers; this includes a coding model to build intelligence into Xcode, as well as a diffusion model to help users express themselves visually, for example, in the Messages app. We look forward to sharing more information soon on this broader set of models.

Our Focus on Responsible AI Development

Apple Intelligence is designed with our core values at every step and built on a foundation of groundbreaking privacy innovations.

Additionally, we have created a set of Responsible AI principles to guide how we develop AI tools, as well as the models that underpin them:

• Empower users with intelligent tools : We identify areas where AI can be used responsibly to create tools for addressing specific user needs. We respect how our users choose to use these tools to accomplish their goals.
• Represent our users : We build deeply personal products with the goal of representing users around the globe authentically. We work continuously to avoid perpetuating stereotypes and systemic biases across our AI tools and models.
• Design with care : We take precautions at every stage of our process, including design, model training, feature development, and quality evaluation to identify how our AI tools may be misused or lead to potential harm. We will continuously and proactively improve our AI tools with the help of user feedback.
• Protect privacy : We protect our users' privacy with powerful on-device processing and groundbreaking infrastructure like Private Cloud Compute. We do not use our users' private personal data or user interactions when training our foundation models.

These principles are reflected throughout the architecture that enables Apple Intelligence, connects features and tools with specialized models, and scans inputs and outputs to provide each feature with the information needed to function responsibly.

In the remainder of this overview, we provide details on decisions such as: how we develop models that are highly capable, fast, and power-efficient; how we approach training these models; how our adapters are fine-tuned for specific user needs; and how we evaluate model performance for both helpfulness and unintended harm.

Pre-Training

Our foundation models are trained on Apple's AXLearn framework , an open-source project we released in 2023. It builds on top of JAX and XLA, and allows us to train the models with high efficiency and scalability on various training hardware and cloud platforms, including TPUs and both cloud and on-premise GPUs. We used a combination of data parallelism, tensor parallelism, sequence parallelism, and Fully Sharded Data Parallel (FSDP) to scale training along multiple dimensions such as data, model, and sequence length.

We train our foundation models on licensed data, including data selected to enhance specific features, as well as publicly available data collected by our web-crawler, AppleBot. Web publishers have the option to opt out of the use of their web content for Apple Intelligence training with a data usage control.

We never use our users’ private personal data or user interactions when training our foundation models, and we apply filters to remove personally identifiable information like social security and credit card numbers that are publicly available on the Internet. We also filter profanity and other low-quality content to prevent its inclusion in the training corpus. In addition to filtering, we perform data extraction, deduplication, and the application of a model-based classifier to identify high quality documents.

Post-Training

We find that data quality is essential to model success, so we utilize a hybrid data strategy in our training pipeline, incorporating both human-annotated and synthetic data, and conduct thorough data curation and filtering procedures. We have developed two novel algorithms in post-training: (1) a rejection sampling fine-tuning algorithm with teacher committee, and (2) a reinforcement learning from human feedback (RLHF) algorithm with mirror descent policy optimization and a leave-one-out advantage estimator. We find that these two algorithms lead to significant improvement in the model’s instruction-following quality.

Optimization

In addition to ensuring our generative models are highly capable, we have used a range of innovative techniques to optimize them on-device and on our private cloud for speed and efficiency. We have applied an extensive set of optimizations for both first token and extended token inference performance.

Both the on-device and server models use grouped-query-attention. We use shared input and output vocab embedding tables to reduce memory requirements and inference cost. These shared embedding tensors are mapped without duplications. The on-device model uses a vocab size of 49K, while the server model uses a vocab size of 100K, which includes additional language and technical tokens.

For on-device inference, we use low-bit palletization, a critical optimization technique that achieves the necessary memory, power, and performance requirements. To maintain model quality, we developed a new framework using LoRA adapters that incorporates a mixed 2-bit and 4-bit configuration strategy — averaging 3.5 bits-per-weight — to achieve the same accuracy as the uncompressed models.

Additionally, we use an interactive model latency and power analysis tool, Talaria , to better guide the bit rate selection for each operation. We also utilize activation quantization and embedding quantization, and have developed an approach to enable efficient Key-Value (KV) cache update on our neural engines.

With this set of optimizations, on iPhone 15 Pro we are able to reach time-to-first-token latency of about 0.6 millisecond per prompt token, and a generation rate of 30 tokens per second. Notably, this performance is attained before employing token speculation techniques, from which we see further enhancement on the token generation rate.

Model Adaptation

Our foundation models are fine-tuned for users’ everyday activities, and can dynamically specialize themselves on-the-fly for the task at hand. We utilize adapters, small neural network modules that can be plugged into various layers of the pre-trained model, to fine-tune our models for specific tasks. For our models we adapt the attention matrices, the attention projection matrix, and the fully connected layers in the point-wise feedforward networks for a suitable set of the decoding layers of the transformer architecture.

By fine-tuning only the adapter layers, the original parameters of the base pre-trained model remain unchanged, preserving the general knowledge of the model while tailoring the adapter layers to support specific tasks.

We represent the values of the adapter parameters using 16 bits, and for the ~3 billion parameter on-device model, the parameters for a rank 16 adapter typically require 10s of megabytes. The adapter models can be dynamically loaded, temporarily cached in memory, and swapped — giving our foundation model the ability to specialize itself on the fly for the task at hand while efficiently managing memory and guaranteeing the operating system's responsiveness.

To facilitate the training of the adapters, we created an efficient infrastructure that allows us to rapidly retrain, test, and deploy adapters when either the base model or the training data gets updated. The adapter parameters are initialized using the accuracy-recovery adapter introduced in the Optimization section.

Performance and Evaluation

Our focus is on delivering generative models that can enable users to communicate, work, express themselves, and get things done across their Apple products. When benchmarking our models, we focus on human evaluation as we find that these results are highly correlated to user experience in our products. We conducted performance evaluations on both feature-specific adapters and the foundation models.

To illustrate our approach, we look at how we evaluated our adapter for summarization. As product requirements for summaries of emails and notifications differ in subtle but important ways, we fine-tune accuracy-recovery low-rank (LoRA) adapters on top of the palletized model to meet these specific requirements. Our training data is based on synthetic summaries generated from bigger server models, filtered by a rejection sampling strategy that keeps only the high quality summaries.

To evaluate the product-specific summarization, we use a set of 750 responses carefully sampled for each use case. These evaluation datasets emphasize a diverse set of inputs that our product features are likely to face in production, and include a stratified mixture of single and stacked documents of varying content types and lengths. As product features, it was important to evaluate performance against datasets that are representative of real use cases. We find that our models with adapters generate better summaries than a comparable model.

As part of responsible development, we identified and evaluated specific risks inherent to summarization. For example, summaries occasionally remove important nuance or other details in ways that are undesirable. However, we found that the summarization adapter did not amplify sensitive content in over 99% of targeted adversarial examples. We continue to adversarially probe to identify unknown harms and expand our evaluations to help guide further improvements.

In addition to evaluating feature specific performance powered by foundation models and adapters, we evaluate both the on-device and server-based models’ general capabilities. We utilize a comprehensive evaluation set of real-world prompts to test the general model capabilities. These prompts are diverse across different difficulty levels and cover major categories such as brainstorming, classification, closed question answering, coding, extraction, mathematical reasoning, open question answering, rewriting, safety, summarization, and writing.

We compare our models with both open-source models (Phi-3, Gemma, Mistral, DBRX) and commercial models of comparable size (GPT-3.5-Turbo, GPT-4-Turbo) 1 . We find that our models are preferred by human graders over most comparable competitor models. On this benchmark, our on-device model, with ~3B parameters, outperforms larger models including Phi-3-mini, Mistral-7B, and Gemma-7B. Our server model compares favorably to DBRX-Instruct, Mixtral-8x22B, and GPT-3.5-Turbo while being highly efficient.

We use a set of diverse adversarial prompts to test the model performance on harmful content, sensitive topics, and factuality. We measure the violation rates of each model as evaluated by human graders on this evaluation set, with a lower number being desirable. Both the on-device and server models are robust when faced with adversarial prompts, achieving violation rates lower than open-source and commercial models.

Our models are preferred by human graders as safe and helpful over competitor models for these prompts. However, considering the broad capabilities of large language models, we understand the limitation of our safety benchmark. We are actively conducting both manual and automatic red-teaming with internal and external teams to continue evaluating our models' safety.

To further evaluate our models, we use the Instruction-Following Eval (IFEval) benchmark to compare their instruction-following capabilities with models of comparable size. The results suggest that both our on-device and server model follow detailed instructions better than the open-source and commercial models of comparable size.

We evaluate our models’ writing ability on our internal summarization and composition benchmarks, consisting of a variety of writing instructions. These results do not refer to our feature-specific adapter for summarization (seen in Figure 3 ), nor do we have an adapter focused on composition.

The Apple foundation models and adapters introduced at WWDC24 underlie Apple Intelligence, the new personal intelligence system that is integrated deeply into iPhone, iPad, and Mac, and enables powerful capabilities across language, images, actions, and personal context. Our models have been created with the purpose of helping users do everyday activities across their Apple products, and developed responsibly at every stage and guided by Apple’s core values. We look forward to sharing more information soon on our broader family of generative models, including language, diffusion, and coding models.

[1] We compared against the following model versions: gpt-3.5-turbo-0125, gpt-4-0125-preview, Phi-3-mini-4k-instruct, Mistral-7B-Instruct-v0.2, Mixtral-8x22B-Instruct-v0.1, Gemma-1.1-2B, and Gemma-1.1-7B. The open-source and Apple models are evaluated in bfloat16 precision.

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Can I copy an image from another paper (that I am citing)?

I am in the process of writing a paper on the results I have obtained recently. One of the steps where I have innovated is extracted from a paper published some years ago.

My idea for the paper was to compare the original method with my modifications and thus present the different results.

Is it generally accepted practice to simply copy the "results" image from the original paper (that I am extensively citing and discussing in mine)? Or should I somehow recreate it? (this last option is presenting some difficulties, as some implementation details* are not explicitely stated in the original paper and thus I cannot be 100% sure that my reproduction would be actually representative of what the authors originally did)

*: yes, we are speaking (also) about code

• publications

• There are no rules for scientific writing that prevent you from copying the image (in fact, as a reader I would appreciate it), but you need to work out the possible copyright issues (which can be difficult even if you consult a lawyer) or get permission (which often is also not easy). That's why it's not common. –  user9482 Commented Mar 31, 2016 at 7:59
• 1 Read from here as an example. –  Nikey Mike Commented May 13, 2016 at 11:47

You have two different questions: one in your title, regarding coping an image, and another regarding the results.

Copying a figure:

It depends on the license of the paper. If it is appropriately licensed (as with a Creative Commons Attribution license), you generally can, as long as you indicate it. If it is copyrighted, you are in the grey area of possible fair use. In these cases, the safest option is to contact the copyright holders (usually the publisher) and ask for permission.

Another option is to contact the authors and ask them for the raw data itself, so you can plot it yourself (so you keep a constant style across the paper), or ask them to regenerate it for you.

Using results:

The results are not copyrightable, so you can freely use them. If Smith et al, 2007 report an accuracy of 91%, and you get a 97%, you can freely put the numbers next to each other.

• maybe is not clear from my question, but the image in question contains the results (stated otherwise, it is a graphical representation of the results) –  Federico Commented Mar 31, 2016 at 7:58
• 2 There are many countries which don't have a "fair use" concept. I'm not sure if an international publisher would accept fair use. –  user9482 Commented Mar 31, 2016 at 8:03
• @Roland hence the grey area. –  Davidmh Commented Mar 31, 2016 at 9:32
• 1 @ScottSeidman it can be argued that that would be a small quote or a criticism, so falling within fair use. But IANAL, and the publisher will likely want a safer standard. –  Davidmh Commented Mar 31, 2016 at 14:54
• 1 @Diaa it will be somewhere pretty visible. But unless you see otherwise, you have to assume is copyrighted. You'd have to ask the journal you are going to publish. –  Davidmh Commented Aug 8, 2018 at 14:45

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Self-calibration strip bundle adjustment of high-resolution satellite imagery.

1. Introduction

2. methodology, 2.1. rigorous sensor model taking into account the installation, 2.2. attitude error compensation, 2.2.1. satellite attitude representation, 2.2.2. attitude compensation model, 2.3. self-calibration strip adjustment taking into account the installation, 3. experimental results, 3.1. experimental datasets, 3.2. bundle adjustment without gcps, 3.3. bundle adjustment with gcps, 4. discussion, 5. conclusions, author contributions, data availability statement, acknowledgments, conflicts of interest.

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Share and Cite

Zhang, X.; Pan, H.; Zhou, S.; Zhu, X. Self-Calibration Strip Bundle Adjustment of High-Resolution Satellite Imagery. Remote Sens. 2024 , 16 , 2196. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16122196

Zhang X, Pan H, Zhou S, Zhu X. Self-Calibration Strip Bundle Adjustment of High-Resolution Satellite Imagery. Remote Sensing . 2024; 16(12):2196. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16122196

Zhang, Xue, Hongbo Pan, Shun Zhou, and Xiaoyong Zhu. 2024. "Self-Calibration Strip Bundle Adjustment of High-Resolution Satellite Imagery" Remote Sensing 16, no. 12: 2196. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16122196

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