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APA Reference Guide: Images (including graphs and maps)

APA Reference Guide 7th Edition to correctly acknowledge sources of information in your work and assessments

Images

Figures : Images, graphs, diagrams, photographs, etc.
                    


* Need to reference a table? - see Tables tab here

* Need to reference Generative AI images? - see ChatGPT & AI Tools tab here

General Rules

Referencing figures (examples are in blue)

Images are known as 'figures'. 

Figures include: 

  • Photographs / images                                    
  • Graphs
  • Charts
  • Maps (included in sources, not the standalone type)
  • Drawings / illustrations / diagrams
  • Infographics
     

NOTE - Tables are separate - see Tables page

 

 Note:  Creative Commons is your best source for images on the internet. 
       search.creativecommons.org.
       If you use a Creative Commons image, you need to add the Creative Commons licence after the URL. See example below under 'Figures from a website'.


 A caption is required above the figure, and an in-text citation is required below a figure.
       See examples in boxes on left hand side.
 

  Note: use & for multiple authors

 

Format Reference List In-Text Citation
Figures  from a website

(see below to reference a Google Map)

Author Surname, Initial or Organisation. (Year). Title of image [Image description]. Website name. Web address. 

Rose, G. (2016). The Sydney Opera House [Photograph]. ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/OnCampus/google-launches-virtual-tour-inside-sydney-opera-house/story?id=38703007

 

NOTES:

  • If you are using a figure from the Creative Commons website (www.search.creativecommons.org), add the Creative Commons license after the web address.
     

 

If there is no title, include a brief description in square brackets [ ] where the title goes. Do not italicise.

Above the figure add: 
Figure (add number).
Title of figure.

Under the figure add: 
Note: From Image title [image descriptor], by Author, Year, Website name, website URL


Example:

Figure 1. 
Sydney Opera House

Note: From Sydney Opera House [Photograph], by George Rose/Getty Images, 2010, ABC News, https://abcnews.go.com/OnCampus/
google-launches-virtual-tour-inside-sydney-opera-house/story?id=38703007
Google Maps

Google. (n.d.). [Title of map]. Retrieved Month day, year, from URL
 

Google. (n.d.). [Google maps direction from St Patrick's College, Campbelltown to The State Library of NSW]. Retrieved November 22, 2024, from https://maps.app.goo.gl/bWhpPrDS8sCwaD1SA

 

For the title of the map, describe the map directions and add in square brackets.

 (Google, n.d.).
Figure from a book

Reference entry is the way you would normally reference a book. 

 

Author Surname, Initial. (Year). Title of book. Publisher.

Hamlin, C. (2001). The hospital by the river. Pan Macmillan Australia.

 

 

Above the figure add: 
Figure (add number).
Title of figure.

Below the figure add: 
Note: Reprinted from Title of Book by Author Initial, Surname, Year, Publisher. Copyright Year by Copyright owners.

Example:

Figure 2. 
Dr Hamlin with a recovering patient.

Note: Reprinted from The Hospital by the River by C. Hamlin, 2001, Pan Macmillan Press. Copyright 2001 by Dr Catherine Hamlin and John Little.
Figure from a journal article

Reference entry is the same way your would normally reference a journal article.

Author Surname, Initial. (Year). Title of journal article. Journal name, Volume number(Issue or number if known), page number. DOI address

Voss, S. C., Cook, D. F., Hung, W.-F., & Dadour, I. R. (2014). Survival and development of the forensically important blow fly, Calliphora varifrons (Diptera: Calliphoridae) at constant temperatures. Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology, 10(3), 314–321. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12024-014-9565-4

Above the figure add: 
Figure (add number).
Title of figure.

Below the figure add: 
Note: From "Title of article," by Author Initial. Last name, year, Journal Title, Volume (italicised)(Issue), p. x. URL. Copyright year by Name of Copyright owner.
 

Example:

Figure 1.
Percentage mortality (mean ± SD) of Calliphora varifrons developing under six constant temperature regimes. Percentage mortality calculated as [1 - (number survived to adulthood/ (N - sampled larvae))] x100

image.png
Note: From "Survival and development of the forensically important blow fly, Calliphora varifrons (Diptera: Calliphoridae) at constant temperatures by S. C. Voss, D. F. Cook, W. F. Hung, & I. R. Dadour. 2014, Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology, 10(3), p.  124. Copyright 2014 by Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology.
Own photograph or figure

If the image is your own work or photograph, you do not need a reference list entry

Above figure add: 
Figure (add number).
Brief title.

Below figure add: 
Note: Own photograph 

Example:

Figure 3.
Yellow flowers in antique jug

Note: Own photograph
Figure with no author, title or date

[Subject and type of work]. (n.d.). URL
 

[COVID app icon]. (n.d.). https://www.health.gov.au/

Above figure add: 
Figure (add number).
Brief title.

Below figure add: 
Note: (Organisation, n.d.). 


Example:

Figure 4.
Covid-19 App icon

Note: (Australian Government Department of Health, n.d.).