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APA Citation Style 7th Edition

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What goes into an Appendix?

Where is an appendix placed, labeling the appendix, formatting the appendix.

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"Material that supplements the content of the paper, but would be distracting or inappropriate to include in the body of the paper is to be placed in an appendix." This includes "materials that are relatively brief and that are easily presented in print format" ( Publication Manual of the APA: 6th edition , section 2.13; Publication Manual of the APA: 7th edition , section 2.14). Examples include "mathematical proofs, lists of words, a questionnaire used in the research, a detailed description of an apparatus used in the research, etc" ( Purdue OWL .)

An appendix (or appendices) follow the reference list. Use the following order for your paper:

  • Abstract ( if required, start on a new page, numbered page 2)
  • Text (start on a new page, numbered 3)
  • References (start on a new page)
  • Tables (start each on a new page)
  • Figures (start each on a new page; include caption on page with figure)
  • Appendices (start each on a new page)
  • If only one appendix, label it Appendix
  • If more than one appendix: label each one with a capital letter (Appendix A, Appendix B, etc.) in the order in which it is mentioned in the text
  • Each appendix must have a title
  • In the text, refer to appendices by their labels:

"produced the same results for both studies (see Appendices A and B for complete proofs)."

  • Begin each appendix on a separate page
  • At the top of the page, center the word Appendix and the identifying capital letters (A, B, etc.) in the order in which they are mentioned in the text.
  • Center the title of the appendix using uppercase and lowercase letter on the next line
  • Begin the text of the appendix flush left, followed by indented paragraphs.

A sample appendix is below:

apa dissertation appendix

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How to Write an APA Appendix

Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

apa dissertation appendix

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  • When to Use an Appendix
  • What to Include
  • Basic Rules

If you are writing a psychology paper for a class or for publication, you may be required to include an appendix in APA format. An APA appendix is found at the end of a paper and contains information that supplements the text but that is too unwieldy or distracting to include in the main body of the paper. 

APA format is the official writing style used by the American Psychological Association . This format dictates how academic and professional papers should be structured and formatted. 

Does Your Paper Need an APA Appendix?

Some questions to ask about whether you should put information in the body of the paper or in an appendix:

  • Is the material necessary for the reader to understand the research? If the answer is yes, it should be in your paper and not in an appendix.
  • Would including the information interrupt the flow of the paper? If the answer is yes, then it should likely appear in the appendix.
  • Would the information supplement what already appears in your paper? If yes, then it is a good candidate for including in an appendix.

Your appendix is not meant to become an information dump. While the information in your appendices is supplementary to your paper and research, it should still be useful and relevant. Only include what will help readers gain insight and understanding, not clutter or unnecessary confusion.

What to Include in an APA Appendix

The APA official stylebook suggests that the appendix should include information that would be distracting or inappropriate in the text of the paper.

Some examples of information you might include in an appendix include:

  • Correspondence (if it pertains directly to your research)
  • Demographic details about participants or groups
  • Examples of participant responses
  • Extended or detailed descriptions
  • Lists that are too lengthy to include in the main text
  • Large amounts of raw data
  • Lists of supporting research and articles that are not directly referenced in-text
  • Materials and instruments (if your research relied on special materials or instruments, you might want to include images and further information about how these items work or were used)
  • Questionnaires that were used as part of your research
  • Raw data (presented in an organized, readable format)
  • Research surveys

While the content found in the appendix is too cumbersome to include in the main text of your paper, it should still be easily presented in print format.

The appendices should always act as a supplement to your paper. The body of your paper should be able to stand alone and fully describe your research or your arguments.

The body of your paper should not be dependent upon what is in the appendices. Instead, each appendix should act to supplement what is in the primary text, adding additional (but not essential) information that provides extra insight or information for the reader. 

Basic Rules for an APA Appendix

Here are some basic APA appendix rules to keep in mind when working on your paper:

  • Your paper may have more than one appendix.
  • Each item usually gets its own appendix section.
  • Begin each appendix on a separate page.
  • Each appendix must have a title.
  • Use title case for your title and labels (the first letter of each word should be capitalized, while remaining letters should be lowercase).
  • If your paper only has one appendix, simply title it Appendix. 
  • If you have more than one appendix, each one should be labeled Appendix A, Appendix B, Appendix C, and so on.
  • Put the appendix label centered at the top of the page.
  • On the next line under the appendix label, place the centered title of the appendix. 
  • If you refer to a source in your appendix, include an in-text citation just as you would in the main body of your paper and then include the source in your main reference section.
  • Each appendix may contain headings, subheadings, figures, and tables. 
  • Each figure or table in your appendix should include a brief but explanatory title, which should be italicized. 
  • If you want to reference your appendix within the text of your paper, include a parenthetical note in the text. For example, you would write (See Appendix A).

Formatting an APA Appendix

How do you format an appendix in APA? An APA appendix should follow the overall rules on how to format text. Such rules specify what font and font size you should use, the size of your margins, and the spacing of the text.

Some of the APA format guidelines you need to observe:

  • Use a consistent font, such as 12-point Times New Roman or 11-point Calibri
  • Double-space your text
  • All paragraphs should be indented on the first line
  • Page numbering should be continuous with the rest of your paper

The appendix label should appear centered and bolded at the top of the page. A descriptive title should follow and should also be bolded and centered. As with other pages in your paper, your APA format appendix should be left-aligned and double-spaced. Each page should include a page number in the top right corner. You can also have more than one appendix, but each one should begin on a new page.

Data Displays in an APA Appendix

When presenting information in an appendix, use a logical layout for any data displays such as tables or figures. All tables and figures should be labeled with the words “Table” or “Figure” (sans quotation marks) and the letter of the appendix and then numbered.

For example, Table A1 would be the first table in an Appendix A. Data displays should be presented in the appendix following the same order that they first appear in the text of your paper.

In addition to following basic APA formatting rules, you should also check to see if there are additional guidelines you need to follow. Individual instructors or publications may have their own specific requirements.

Where to Include an APA Appendix

If your paper does require an appendix, it should be the very last pages of your finished paper. An APA format paper is usually structured in the following way:

Your paper may not necessarily include all of these sections. At a minimum, however, your paper may consist of a title page, abstract, main text, and reference section. Also, if your paper does not contain tables, figures, or footnotes, then the appendix would follow the references.

Never include an appendix containing information that is not referred to in your text. 

A Word From Verywell

Writing a paper for class or publication requires a great deal of research, but you should pay special attention to your APA formatting. Each section of your paper, including the appendix section, needs to follow the rules and guidelines provided in the American Psychological Association’s stylebook.

American Psychological Association. Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). Washington DC: The American Psychological Association; 2020.

By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

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APA 7th edition - Paper Format: Appendices

  • Introduction
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How to Format An Appendix - Tutorial

  • APA Appendices - JIBC Tip Sheet All you need to know about appendices in APA Style.

Information in this section is as outlined in the APA Publication Manual (2020), sections 2.14, 2.17, 2.24, and 7.6.

Appendices are used to include information that supplement the paper’s content but are considered distracting or inappropriate for the overall topic. It is recommended to only include an appendix if it helps the reader comprehend the study or theoretical argument being made. It is best if the material included is brief and easily presented. The material can be text, tables, figures, or a combination of these three.

Placement :

Appendices should be placed on a separate page at the end of your paper after the references, footnotes, tables, and figure. The label and title should be centre aligned. The contents of the appendix and the note should be left-aligned.

  • If you are choosing to include tables and figures in your appendix, then you can list each one on a separate page or you may include multiple tables/figures in one appendix, if there is no text and each table and/or figure has its own clear number and title within the appendix.
  • Tables and figures in an appendix receive a number preceded by the letter of the appendix in which it appears, e.g. Table A1 is the first table in Appendix A or of a sole appendix that is not labeled with a letter.

The follow elements are required for appendices in APA Style:

Appendix Labels:

Each appendix that you place in your paper is labelled “Appendix.” If a paper has more than one appendix, then label each with a capital letter in the order the appendices are referred to in your paper (“Appendix A” is referred to first, “Appendix B” is referred to second, etc).

  • The label of the appendix should be in bold font, centre-aligned, follow Title Casing, and is located at the top of the page.
  • If your appendix only contains one table or figure (and no text), then the appendix label takes the place of the table/figure number, e.g. the table may be referred to as “Appendix B” rather than “Table B1.”

Appendix Titles:

Each appendix should have a title, that describes its contents. Titles should be brief, clear, and explanatory.

  • The title of the appendix should be in bold font, centre-aligned, follow Title Casing, and is one double-spaced line down from the appendix label.
  • If your appendix only contains one table or figure (and no text), then the appendix title takes the place of the table/figure title. 

Appendix Contents:

  • Left aligned and indented; written the same as paragraphs within the body of the paper
  • Double-spaced and with the same font as the rest of the paper
  • If the appendix contains a table and/or figure, then the table/figure number must contain a letter to correlate the table and/or figure to the appendix and not the body of the paper, e.g. “Table A1” rather than “Table 1” to clarify that the table appears in the appendix and not in the body of the paper.
  • All tables and figures in an appendix must be mentioned in the appendix and numbered in order of mention. 
  • All tables and figures must be aligned to the left margin, (not center aligned), and positioned after a paragraph break, preferably the paragraph in which they are referred to, with a double-spaced blank line between the table and the text. 
  • Each table and figure should include a note afterwards to further explain the supplement or clarify information in the table or figure to your paper/appendix and can be general, specific, and probability. See “Table Notes” in the section “Table and Figures” above for more details.

Referring to Appendices in the Text:

In your paper, refer to every appendix that you have inserted. Do not include an appendix in your work that you do not clearly explain in relation to the ideas in your paper.

  • In general, only refer to the appendix by the label (“Appendix” or “Appendix A” etc.) and not the appendix title.

Reprinting or Adapting:

If you did not create the content in the appendix yourself, for instance if you found a figure on the internet, you must include a copyright attribution in a note below the figure. 

  • A copyright attribution is used instead of an in-text citation. 
  • Each work should also be listed in the reference list. 

Please see pages 390-391 in the Manual for example copyright attributions.

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APA Style 7th Edition: Citing Your Sources

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Mechanics of Style

Standard formatting quick guide, abbreviations.

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Refer to Ch. 6 Mechanics of style in the APA Publication Manual 7th ed. regarding specific guidelines regarding the mechanics of style for writing.

  • Use 1" margins for the entire document.
  • Use a 1/2" indent for every paragraph and footnote.
  • Indent set-off quotations 1/2" from the left margin.

Text Formatting

  • Should be accessible to all users
  • The same font should be used throughout paper
  • San serif fonts preferred for online works (Recommend 11pt Calibri, 11-point Arial, or 10pt Lucida Sans Unicode)
  • Serif fonts preferred for print works (Recommend 12pt Times New Roman or 11pt Georgia)
  • Figure images- use a sans serif font with a type size between 8 and 14
  • Computer code- use a monospace font (ex. 10pt Lucida Console or 10pt Courier New)
  • Footnotes- default footnote settings of word-processing program acceptable
  • Do not justify the text or use hyphenation.
  • One space after a period

Page Header

  • Doesn't have to be same as title, but limited to 50 characters and conveys the idea of the title
  • If title is less than 50 characters, can be used as running head
  • Avoid using abbreviations in the running head
  • Appears flush left in all-capital letters
  • Page number should be flush right.
  • If title is longer than one line, separate the title and subtitle on double-spaced lines if desired
  • Center the author's/authors' name directly under the title.
  • Format the name omitting titles (Dr, Prof, etc.) and degrees: First name, middle initial, last name.
  • Center the institutional affiliation directly under the author's/authors' name.
  • Author's note (not applicable to student papers)
  • Course number and name of course
  • Instructor name
  • Assignment due date
  • Running head in page header, flush left (not applicable to student papers)
  • Page number in page header, flush right

Introduction

  • Begin introduction on a new page.
  • Type the title in title case, bold, centered and positioned at the top of the first page of text
  • Do not type the heading "Introduction," title will act as de facto Level 1 heading
  • Use Level 2 heading for any subsections within introduction, Level 3 for subsections of Level 2, and so on
  • Use Level 1 heading for next main section of paper

References (Reference Page)

  • Starts on new page
  • The word " References " should appear (without quotation marks) centered at the top of the page, bold
  • Double-space all reference entries
  • Use a hanging indent for reference- first line of each reference is flush with the left margin while subsequent lines are indented.
  • Use footnotes to provide additional content or acknowledge copyright permission
  • Content footnotes convey just one idea and only include simple, relevant or essential information
  • Use a footnote to acknowledge the source of lengthy quotes, scale and test items, and figures or tables that have been reproduced or adapted
  • Number all footnotes consecutively in the order they appear, use superscript Arabic numerals within the text
  • For separate page- Label section "Footnotes" in bold, centered at the top of the page.  Write footnotes as double-spaced indented paragraphs which begin with superscript footnote number.
  • Begin each appendix on a new page following references and footnotes (if applicable).
  • If single appendix, label page "Appendix."
  • If there is more than one appendix, label each with with a capital letter (ex. "Appendix A," "Appendix B" and so forth) in the order they're mentioned in the text
  • If text appendix contains tables, figures, footnotes and/or display equations, give each one a number preceded by the letter of the appendix in which it appears (ex. Figure A2 for the second figure in Appendix A).
  • If appendix "consists of only a table or figure, then the appendix label takes the place of the table or figure number and the appendix title takes the place of the table or figure title."

Adapted from American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed).  https://doi.org/10.1037/0000165-000

  • APA Paper Format Find quick answers to basic APA formatting directly from APA Style
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The correct form of abbreviation must be used in reference lists:

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Thesis and Dissertation Appendicies – What to Include

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  • By DiscoverPhDs
  • August 12, 2020

What is an Appendix Dissertation explained

An appendix is a section at the end of a dissertation that contains supplementary information. An appendix may contain figures, tables, raw data, and other additional information that supports the arguments of your dissertation but do not belong in the main body.

It can be either a long appendix or split into several smaller appendices. Each appendix should have its own title and identification letters, and the numbering for any tables or figures in them should be reset at the beginning of each new appendix.

Purpose of an Appendix

When writing the main body of your dissertation, it is important to keep it short and concise in order to convey your arguments effectively.

Given the amount of research you would have done, you will probably have a lot of additional information that you would like to share with your audience.

This is where appendices come in. Any information that doesn’t support your main arguments or isn’t directly relevant to the topic of your dissertation should be placed in an appendix.

This will help you organise your paper, as only information that adds weight to your arguments will be included; it will also help improve your flow by minimising unnecessary interruptions.

Note, however, that your main body must be detailed enough that it can be understood without your appendices. If a reader has to flip between pages to make sense of what they are reading, they are unlikely to understand it.

For this reason, appendices should only be used for supporting background material and not for any content that doesn’t fit into your word count, such as the second half of your literature review .

What to Include in a Dissertation Appendix

A dissertation appendix can be used for the following supplementary information:

Research Results

There are various ways in which research results can be presented, such as in tables or diagrams.

Although all of your results will be useful to some extent, you won’t be able to include them all in the main body of your dissertation. Consequently, only those that are crucial to answering your research question should be included.

Your other less significant findings should be placed in your appendix, including raw data, proof of control measures, and other supplemental material.

Details of Questionnaires and Interviews

You can choose to include the details of any surveys and interviews you have conducted. This can include:

  • An interview transcript,
  • A copy of any survey questions,
  • Questionnaire results.

Although the results of your surveys, questionnaires or interviews should be presented and discussed in your main text, it is useful to include their full form in the appendix of a dissertation to give credibility to your study.

Tables, Figures and Illustrations

If your dissertation contains a large number of tables, figures and illustrative material, it may be helpful to insert the less important ones in your appendix. For example, if you have four related datasets, you could present all the data and trend lines (made identifiable by different colours) on a single chart with a further breakdown for each dataset in your appendix.

Letters and Correspondence

If you have letters or correspondence, either between yourself and other researchers or places where you sought permission to reuse copyrighted material, they should be included here. This will help ensure that your dissertation doesn’t become suspected of plagiarism.

List of Abbreviations

Most researchers will provide a list of abbreviations at the beginning of their dissertation, but if not, it would be wise to add them as an appendix.

This is because not all of your readers will have the same background as you and therefore may have difficulty understanding the abbreviations and technical terms you use.

Note: Some researchers refer to this as a ‘glossary’, especially if it is provided as an appendix section. For all intended purposes, this is the same as a list of abbreviations.

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How to Format a Dissertation Appendix

In regards to format, you can include one lengthy appendix or structure it into several smaller appendices.

Although the choice is yours, it is usually better to opt for several different appendices as it allows you to organise your supplementary information into different categories based on what they are.

The following guidelines should be observed when preparing your dissertation appendices section:

  • Each appendix should start on a new page and be given a unique title and identifying letter, such as “Appendix A – Raw Data”. This allows you to more easily refer to appendix headings in the text of your main body should you need to.
  • Each appendix should have its own page numbering system, comprising the appendix identification letter and the corresponding page number. The appendix identification letter should be reset for each appendix, but the page number should remain continuous. For example, if ‘Appendix A’ has three pages and ‘Appendix B’ two pages, the page numbers should be A-1, A-2, A-3, B-4, B-5.
  • The numbering of tables and figures should be reset at the beginning of each new appendix. For example, if ‘Appendix A’ contains two tables and ‘Appendix B’ one table, the table number within Appendix B should be ‘Table 1’ and not ‘Table 3’.
  • If you have multiple appendices instead of a single longer one, insert a ‘List of Appendices’ in the same way as your contents page.
  • Use the same formatting (font size, font type, spacing, margins, etc.) as the rest of your report.

Example of Appendices

Below is an example of what a thesis or dissertation appendix could look like.

Thesis and Dissertation Appendices Example

Referring to an Appendix In-Text

You must refer to each appendix in the main body of your dissertation at least once to justify its inclusion; otherwise, the question arises as to whether they are really needed.

You can refer to an appendix in one of three ways:

1. Refer to a specific figure or table within a sentence, for example: “As shown in Table 2 of Appendix A, there is little correlation between X and Y”.

2. Refer to a specific figure or table in parentheses, for example: “The results (refer to Table 2 of Appendix A) show that there is little correlation between X and Y”.

3. Refer to an entire appendix, for example: “The output data can be found in Appendix A”.

Appendices vs Appendixes

Both terms are correct, so it is up to you which one you prefer. However, it is worth noting that ‘appendices’ are used more frequently in the science and research community, so we recommend using the former in academic writing if you have no preferences.

Where Does an Appendix Go?

For a dissertation, your appendices should be inserted after your reference list.

Some people like to put their appendices in a standalone document to separate it from the rest of their report, but we only recommend this at the request of your dissertation supervisor, as this isn’t common practice.

Note : Your university may have its own requirements or formatting suggestions for writing your dissertation or thesis appendix. As such, make sure you check with your supervisor or department before you work on your appendices. This will especially be the case for any students working on a thesis.

What is a Research Instrument?

The term research instrument refers to any tool that you may use to collect, measure and analyse research data.

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Statistical treatment of data is essential for all researchers, regardless of whether you’re a biologist, computer scientist or psychologist, but what exactly is it?

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Other APA Guidelines: Appendices

APA 7 addresses appendices and supplemental materials in Section 2.14 and on page 41:

  • The appendices follow the reference list.
  • They are lettered "Appendix A," "Appendix B," "Appendix C," and so forth. If you have only one appendix, however, simply label it Appendix.
  • Put figures and tables in separate appendices. The appendix title serves as the title for a table if it is the only table in the appendix.
  • If you decide that certain figures and tables should appear in the same appendix, number them A1, A2, A3, and so forth, according to the appendix in which they appear.
  • The materials in the appendix must not extend beyond the margins of the rest of the paper: Reduce the appendix materials as needed.

As a general guide, appendices are appropriate for any material that, if presented in the main body of the document, would unnecessarily interrupt the flow of the writing. Note that it is unlikely that you will use appendices in Walden course papers. For doctoral capstone studies, you might include some appendices with supplementary information.

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How do I do an APPENDIX in APA style?

How do I create an APPENDIX in APA style?

What is an appendix?

  • A section at the end of a paper that includes information that is too detailed for the text of the paper itself and would "burden the reader" or be "distracting," or "inappropriate" (APA, 2019, p. 41-42).
  • lengthy lists (short lists belong in the paper itself)
  • detailed descriptions (essential details should be in the paper itself)
  • instructions to participants; tests, scales, inventories
  • demographic details for subpopulations studied by the paper

Where does the Appendix appear in the paper?

  • text of paper
  • references list
  • tables 

How to format an appendix:

  • You may have more than one appendix (aka appendices)
  • Each appendix should deal with a separate topic
  • In addition to the limitations of email, Cummings et al. (2002) reviewed studies that focused on international bank employees and college students (see Appendix B for demographic information).
  • The first appendix referred to in the paper would be named Appendix A
  • The second appendix referred to in the paper would be named Appendix B
  • If you have more than 26 appendices, start the alphabet over with AA, BB, CC, and so on.
  • If there is only one appendix, it is just called Appendix
  • Each appendix must also have a title
  • Begin each appendix on a separate page with page number
  • Place the label and title of each appendix at the top of the page, centered, bold, using normal capitalization. Label first, title second.
  • The first paragraph is flush left and not indented.
  • The second and following paragraphs are indented as "normal" paragraphs are.
  • All paragraphs are double spaced.
  • Exception to the tables/figures numbering rule: add the letter of the appendix (A, B, C, etc.) to the figure or table number (e.g., Table B3 would be the third table in Appendix B).
  • If your appendices use information from an outside source, cite it parenthetically within the text of the appendix and include the reference in the main references list for the paper (do not create a separate references list).

A sample appendix is below.

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Comments (40)

  • Not only did this answer my question, it answered several questions I hadn't even considered yet. Excellent resource! by Magnus on Nov 23, 2016
  • Great resource to use, very helpful info. Thank you for the visual example. by Anonymous on Dec 15, 2016
  • Extraordinarily helpful by Ashna on Feb 27, 2017
  • This information was very helpful! The instructions and example provided clarity. by Student on Mar 06, 2017
  • What about page numbering? Is it continuous or does it restart at the beginning of the appendix section or does each appendix have its own page numbering (e.g. A1, A2, B1, B2...)? Sara, Librarian Answer: Page numbering is continuous, it does not restart at the appendix section. by Brent on Apr 21, 2017
  • Does APA style require a whole section page for appendices? As in, a page with APPENDIX (or APPENDICES) written in the middle of the page before the actual appendices themselves? Sara, Librarian Answer: No. A page like that is unnecessary. by Sara on Apr 28, 2017
  • When I have an assignment limiting to a particular number of pages (lets say 6 pages), do the appendix pages count as one of those six pages? Sara, Librarian Answer: Typically the appendix pages do not count as part of the paper. However, we suggest that you check with your instructor to make sure that's their expectation. by Katie on May 03, 2017
  • Hello If I add tables or/and figures to my appendix. Do I have to make a new page for every new table/figure or am I allowed to just leave a line and then begin with the new table/figure? Sara, Librarian Answer: You can have as many figures and/or tables in one single appendix as makes sense. Each figure/table should still be formatted in APA and include a caption. by Kerstin on May 09, 2017
  • If I have multiple pages to a report that I'd like to include in one appendix (they are all part of the same report), do I continue to title each page Appendix A? Sara, Librarian Reply: No. You only need to title the first page of each different appendix. by Allison on Jun 06, 2017
  • Thank you for this exceedingly abundantly helpful resource. Janie Richter by Jane Richter on Jun 23, 2017
  • How are appendices displayed in the ToC? Since the title is on a separate line my template is only showing "Appendix" but I'm wondering if it should show "Appendix - Title." Sara, Librarian Reply: Hi Brad, different colleges and universities, departments and individual instructors have their own preferences for the format of the title page, table of contents, and other items that are particular to academic papers, so the APA manual doesn’t cover these formats. Since your instructor is responsible for the curriculum and grading rubrics, check with them to find out how they would like your appendix titles to appear in the table of contents. by Brad on Jul 29, 2017
  • I'm required to transcript an interview and add it to my paper. My first question is, do I add this interview as an appendix? If so, how do I do this considering the parameters of the APA style? Thank you in advance! Sara, Librarian Reply: You can add an interview transcript as an appendix. We highly recommend you talk to your instructor about how they want the transcript formatted and added to your paper. If your instructor doesn't have any specific parameters for formatting in the appendix, we recommend sticking to standard APA formatting style: 12pt, Times New Roman font, double spaced, and 1 inch margins. by dcrada on Aug 01, 2017
  • Hi, I was just wondering what you name your appendix if you have more than 26 and have run out of alphabet letters? Sara, Librarian Reply: If you run through the alphabet and still have additionally appendices, then we recommend you start over again with Appendix AA, BB, CC, and so on. by F on Aug 31, 2017
  • This is great! Much easier and quicker to read and grasp than the APA style guide. by Lily on Sep 03, 2017
  • How do I provide in text reference to a table which appears in my appendix? I know I have to refer to the table by table number but how do I say which page it is on in the appendices? Sara, Librarian Reply: Hi Robin, you would do an in-text reference like you would for any other source: (Appendix B, Figure 1). See the APA Style Blog for more information about citing parts of a work: http://blog.apastyle.org/apastyle/2013/11/how-to-cite-part-of-a-work.html by Robin on Oct 30, 2017
  • How would you reference a figure from an appendix in-text? (see Fig. 4) or (see Appendix B, Fig.4 for more information). Sara, Librarian Reply: Hi TJ, we recommend that you include which appendix you are referencing in-text. So the example you would use is (Appendix B, Figure 4). Please see the APA Style Blog if you need any additional clarification http://blog.apastyle.org/apastyle/2013/11/how-to-cite-part-of-a-work.html by Me on Oct 31, 2017
  • Do I need to reference an appendix each time it comes up in the document or just the first time it is referenced? Sara, Librarian Reply: Just as you would with an in-text citation, every time you mention an appendix make sure you reference it. by Linda G on Nov 05, 2017
  • If the appendix is a survey or other pre-formatted document, what are the requirements for spacing of the body? Does it still need to be double spaced? Sara, Librarian Reply: Different colleges and universities, departments and individual instructors have their own preferences for the formatting of documents added as appendices. We highly recommend that you talk with your instructor/advisor about if they want your document reformatted to be double spaced. by Deborah on Dec 21, 2017
  • Nice work helped me alot by Leo Rice on Mar 04, 2018
  • How would I go about citing information that I used to create a figure within my appendix? Do I need to cite in the appendix where I obtained the information that I used in the graphs/tables? Sara, Librarian Reply: Do an in-text citation in your appendix (just like you would in the body of your paper) for the information you are quoting, paraphrasing, or summarizing. Then add the full reference/citation information to the main references list for your paper. by Nikki on Mar 13, 2018
  • Hi, can you clarify how I refer to tables in an appendix in APA 6th? Do I need to write (see Table 1 in Appendix A) or is it (see Table A1) or is there another way? thank you. Sara, Librarian Reply: Hi Bill, to refer to the Appendix within your text, write (see Appendix A) at the end of the sentence in parentheses. If you are referring to a table, you would then write (see Appendix A, Table 1). I hope that helps clarify things for you! by Bill on Mar 14, 2018
  • I adapted a figure from an image I found in the 2nd page of a paper Appendix. In the caption of figure, should I write ,Appendices, instead of the page number which is not available? Thank you in advance. Sara, Librarian Reply: Yes, in the caption you should write which appendix you got the figure from. by Souha on Mar 14, 2018
  • Excellent and detailed explanation. Very helpful... by Murox Tobby on Mar 20, 2018
  • Thank you this was so helpful by angie on Mar 25, 2018
  • My paper includes a long part with a lot of different events and dates. Therefore, I want to summarize each event and attach it as a table in the Appendix. Do I have to add citations in this table, although I already included all citations in the text and the table does solely contain information from my main text? Sara, Librarian Reply: Hi Jake. Yes, if your appendix includes tables or figures, treat them as they would be treated in the main text and add the citations. by Jake on Apr 26, 2018
  • If a text in my paper refers to the Appendix more than once in my text, should I reference the Appendix each time? Sara, Librarian Reply: Yes. As with citing, so with referencing your appendices: always cite/reference your source. by Adrian on Apr 30, 2018
  • Hello :) If I have a few pages from a manual I used for my dissertation, and I want to place them in the appendix, how do I do so? Because if I insert them normally, the plagiarism detection software will detect them as copied, I presume. Thanks! Sara, Librarian Reply: Hi Martina, is there a reason you want to put them in an appendix instead of just citing the section of the source in your dissertation? Do the pages themselves add something to your paper that justifies the duplication? If you still want to add those pages to your appendix, then add them normally. You should also ask your faculty advisor for their opinion or reference your institution's formatting guide. by Martina on May 01, 2018
  • Thank you so much for this! The visual representation was very helpful, particularly because the APA Guide was very hard to interpret in respect to the Appendices. I would've put the label and name down incorrectly in my thesis if it wasn't for this! by Maddy on Oct 27, 2018
  • Great work! Your presentation helps me a lot, including the questions and answers portion! by Belen,php on Nov 23, 2018
  • Does the appendix include a page number and a header? Sara, Librarian reply: Yes. The appendix should include a page number and a header. by Alyssa on Feb 03, 2019
  • I am trying to cite the appendix of my e-book for my paper. How do I do that? by Shashi on Mar 21, 2019
  • Very helpful. Well detailed and on point. Thank you so much by Peter Wanyangi on Apr 02, 2019
  • Thank you for this reference. The example helped solidify my questions about how to effectively use and appendix. Great! by A on May 07, 2019
  • A very useful and highly relevant information. Thank you all. by Dr Sam V Daniel on Sep 23, 2019
  • Excellent, nicely presented and comprehensive. Loved going through it. by Anoop Tiwari on Oct 28, 2019
  • Excellent explanation, love it, fully helped and thanks a lot. by Godwine Okoth on Jan 22, 2020
  • This was exceedingly helpful,thanks a lot by Favour Anne on Mar 18, 2020
  • This resource is so incredibly helpful - thank you by Jennifer on Jun 06, 2021
  • This is a very useful explanation. It has answered more than one question.Highly relevant information. by Carol Nelson on Nov 14, 2022
  • This is a great reference. thank you! by Carlos on Apr 28, 2023

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APA appendix

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APA appendix is a separate section that provides supplementary information that doesn't fit the main body of a paper. It can include information such as research, formulas, data sets, images, and diagrams. APA style has special requirements to labeling and formatting appendices.

If you are reading this article, then you obviously want to know what an APA appendix is. But how do you deal with it? What does it include? How can you create and format it in the first place? Learn how to properly label your sources from different texts and media in one APA format paper . In this article you will find all the information you need, without reaching out to other online sources. Let's get started!

When Should I Do an Appendix

Prior to creating an appendix, you should ask yourself if you should do it at all. If your data fits in your paper's body, then appendices are not needed. But if an additional information is too large, we suggest that you resort to making an addition to your work. Same goes if it will interrupt the flow of your text, or if it has any useful supplement. For example, if you created a survey, then you can include the results in an appropriate part of your work. This will allow you to leave the rest of information to your addition. Mention it in main paper's body, and you're golden. Make sure that information you put is relevant, though. Don't turn it into a useless dump: it shouldn't confuse a reader, but help them in getting an additional insight. Need an APA paper writer ? Resort to StudyCrumb! Our writing service offers a huge team of academic professionals who can tackle papers in any format, including APA.

Appendix APA: Overview

APA appendix is not just a section of a work that includes all the information that didn't fit in a work itself, but a section that must follow strict formatting rules. Keep them in mind when you create your own!

  • You can have several appendices.
  • Grant your appendices their own separate page for each.
  • And a title, for which you should use a title case.
  • One appendix can be labeled just so; if they are several, name them Appendix A, Appendix B, etc.
  • Center the label at the top of a page, and a title - on a page under it.
  • You can use citations. Make in text citation APA and include all sources in your main reference section.
  • You can include figures, subfigures and tables with their own short italicized explanatory title.
  • Use parenthetical citations if you want to refer to it in text.
  • Don't forget to include all appendices in the table of contents.

APA Appendix Format

The time has come to learn an appropriate appendix APA format. It is not as scary as it seems, though: just follow the basic rules of formatting. They usually specify font and font size, spacings and size of margins. Observe:

  • Choose your font and stick to it. Preferably it is 12-point Times New Roman or 11-point Calibri.
  • Double-space your text.
  • Indent all your paragraphs on the first line.
  • Don't forget to number your pages. They should continue the numbering of your paper.

APA Appendix Example

All this talk is good and informative, but what is it without an appendix example in APA? We know that sometimes it is easier to comprehend presented information with a nice visual. Remember, that you can easily put letters, tables, questionnaires, interview transcripts and a lot more. Make it great! And check out our example.

An Appendices: Organizing and Labeling

When dealing with appendices, there are truly just a handful of rules you should remember. As we mentioned before, you should label your appendix as Appendix, if it is the only one you have. If there are multiple, name them Appendix A, Appendix B, and so on according to the English alphabet . Whether you have tables, figures or subfigures, you should always give them a brief description. It must be italicized, as to avoid confusion with the rest of the (possible) text. Make it brief - no one wants to read a huge explanation, when it can be easily summarized in a few words. Lastly, remember to present and label your appendices in the order they are referred to in the main text. Maybe you are looking for APA results section , we have the whole blog dedicated to this topic.

APA Appendix: Bottom Line

Formatting your appendix in APA style is a pretty easy ordeal, once you get a hang of it. General guidelines, provided by the 7th edition, are simple, as not to confuse you, dear reader. We hope that our article was of a good aid to you and wish you good luck on your future writing!

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Frequently Asked Questions About Appendix APA

1. where do appendices go in an apa style paper.

As a rule, APA appendices are put at the very last pages of your paper. It doesn't really matter how many sections in your main text you have - an appendix will always be at the end of it. Usually it goes right after the reference list.

2. Do I need to number my appendices in APA Style?

Yes, you absolutely need to number your appendices in APA style! If there are multiple of them, you must label them as "Appendix A", "Appendix B", and so on. But if you only have one, leave it as is and don't add any lettered numbering to it.

3. Does appendix go before or after references in APA?

Knowing whether the appendix goes before the references APA can greatly help at the end of your writing, when all that's left is placing everything in the correct order. Short answer is yes, it does. Especially so, if your paper does not contain tables, figures, or footnotes.

4. How do you reference an appendix in APA 7?

Referencing an appendix in APA 7 is no different than doing so in other editions of this formatting style. Use parenthetical citations in your paper's body and reference an appendix with a capital letter. Add lettered numbering if there are multiple appendices.

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APA Style: Tables, Figures, & Appendices

apa dissertation appendix

28th April 2014

APA Style: Tables, Figures, & Appendices

It is very likely that you'll be using tables, figures, or appendices in your dissertation. While each of these elements is optional, they can help to improve the readers’ understanding of your dissertation’s content. The following tips and pointers on tables, figures, and appendices will help you determine when each should be used, as well as how and where they should appear per APA style.

Tables are especially helpful when presenting a great deal of numerical data at once. A well-organized table can effectively deliver vast amounts of information in an easy-to-read manner. Per APA guidelines , all tables included in your dissertation should be necessary—if you can deliver the information clearly in the body of your text, avoid using a table. Each table should also include at least two columns (vertical axis) or rows (horizontal axis) per APA style (i.e. if your data can be presented in a single row or column, it should be delivered in paragraph form instead of a table). Tables are a supplement to your content, which means that all tables must be referenced within the narrative of your paper. Explain how each table relates to your content and be sure to highlight what the reader will learn from looking at the table. Additionally, a reader should be able to make sense of your table without having read your text, so be sure to define all abbreviations and symbols in a note beneath the data. Your tables should be numbered sequentially and each one should appear as near to where it is mentioned in the text as possible. Additionally, do not let your table span more than one page, if possible. Formatting your table:

  • The table may be single- or double-spaced, but consistency across all tables is key.
  • Each table must have a brief title explaining its contents below the table number, italicized and in title case.
  • Every column must have a brief heading.
  • Vertical lines are not permitted per APA formatting style. Only horizontal lines may be used to improve readability.
  • All numerical data must be presented consistently (use the same number of decimal places and unit of measurement for each column).
  • Write the word “Note:” below the table to provide abbreviation meanings and probability level values.

  Example of a properly formatted table:  

APA syle, APA formatting, APA style table

Figure 1. Screenshot of a table formatted per APA style . Reprinted from “The Grammar of Mathematics: Percentage or %?,” by T. McAdoo, 2011, APA Style Blog. Retrieved from http://blog.apastyle.org/apastyle/2011/11/the-grammar-of-mathematics-percentage.html

                       

Per APA style, figures are all types of visual elements other than tables. This includes photographs, graphs, and charts. Similar to tables, figures must be necessary and supplement your content. Figures should also be numbered sequentially. When creating a figure, simplicity is key. Keeping your figure legible and clear for the reader is more important than eye-catching graphics. Your figure, whether it be a bar graph, scatter plot, or other visual graphic, should be easy to understand and read. APA provides specifications for width and font size to ensure readability. One‑column figures must be between 2 and 3.25 inches. Figures with two or more columns must be between 4.25 and 6.875 inches. Your figures should fit within your paper’s margins. Any fonts used within your figure should be between eight and fourteen point. Resist the temptation to include a title within the figure itself. Instead, use a caption below to provide the name of the figure, as well as any pertinent information. Your caption should include the figure number in italics, followed by a brief but explanatory title, and be double-spaced with normal margins. For example: Figure 2. Sample population by age and gender. Figures must also be mentioned within the narrative of your text.

Appendices are ideal for including detailed or additional information that supplements your paper but would be distracting if placed within the text. For example, your appendices might include your instrument of measurement, an informed consent letter, or interview questions.  Basically, anything too large or unwieldy to be placed in your text can be presented in the appendices. Each appendix should stand on its own, with each one appearing on a new page at the very end of your dissertation. If you have only one appendix, place the word “Appendix” at the top, centered ( not bolded, underlined, italicized, or in quotes). If you have multiple appendices, order them alphabetically; the first should be titled “Appendix A,” the second Appendix B, and so on. Additionally, each appendix must have a title. The title appears below “Appendix” in title case. For example:

APA Style Resources

Obviously, the complete Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 6 th Edition is the authoritative resource on the topic. The APA style website is also an excellent resource for specific situations regarding tables, figures, and appendices.

Need Help Formatting Tables, Figures, and Appendices per APA Style?

If you’d rather not review an exhaustive style manual, or if you find that you lack the skills to efficiently develop or format tables, figures, and appendices per APA style, we are here to help! We have PhD-level APA style experts on staff who can develop or format all visual aspects of your dissertation or thesis. Please feel free to call or e-mail us at any time for a free price quote! Phone: 857-200-2241 Email: [email protected]

American Psychological Association. (2009). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. McAdoo, T. (2011, November 17). The grammar of mathematics: Percentage or %? Retrieved from http://blog.apastyle.org/apastyle/2011/11/the-grammar-of-mathematics-percentage.html Paiz, J. M., Angeli, E., Wagner, J. Lawrick, E. Moore, K. Anderson, M. ... & Keck, R. (2012, October 9). APA tables and figures 2. Retrieved from http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/20/ Paiz, J. M., Angeli, E., Wagner, J. Lawrick, E. Moore, K. Anderson, M. ... & Keck, R. (2013, May 7). APA tables and figures 1. Retrieved from https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/19/  

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apa dissertation appendix

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Tables and Figures

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This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice.

Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.

Note:  This page reflects the latest version of the APA Publication Manual (i.e., APA 7), which released in October 2019. The equivalent resources for the older APA 6 style  can be found at this page  as well as at this page (our old resources covered the material on this page on two separate pages).

The purpose of tables and figures in documents is to enhance your readers' understanding of the information in the document; usually, large amounts of information can be communicated more efficiently in tables or figures. Tables are any graphic that uses a row and column structure to organize information, whereas figures include any illustration or image other than a table.

General guidelines

Visual material such as tables and figures can be used quickly and efficiently to present a large amount of information to an audience, but visuals must be used to assist communication, not to use up space, or disguise marginally significant results behind a screen of complicated statistics. Ask yourself this question first: Is the table or figure necessary? For example, it is better to present simple descriptive statistics in the text, not in a table.

Relation of Tables or Figures and Text

Because tables and figures supplement the text, refer in the text to all tables and figures used and explain what the reader should look for when using the table or figure. Focus only on the important point the reader should draw from them, and leave the details for the reader to examine on their own.

Documentation

If you are using figures, tables and/or data from other sources, be sure to gather all the information you will need to properly document your sources.

Integrity and Independence

Each table and figure must be intelligible without reference to the text, so be sure to include an explanation of every abbreviation (except the standard statistical symbols and abbreviations).

Organization, Consistency, and Coherence

Number all tables sequentially as you refer to them in the text (Table 1, Table 2, etc.), likewise for figures (Figure 1, Figure 2, etc.). Abbreviations, terminology, and probability level values must be consistent across tables and figures in the same article. Likewise, formats, titles, and headings must be consistent. Do not repeat the same data in different tables.

Data in a table that would require only two or fewer columns and rows should be presented in the text. More complex data is better presented in tabular format. In order for quantitative data to be presented clearly and efficiently, it must be arranged logically, e.g. data to be compared must be presented next to one another (before/after, young/old, male/female, etc.), and statistical information (means, standard deviations, N values) must be presented in separate parts of the table. If possible, use canonical forms (such as ANOVA, regression, or correlation) to communicate your data effectively.

This image shows a table with multiple notes formatted in APA 7 style.

A generic example of a table with multiple notes formatted in APA 7 style.

Elements of Tables

Number all tables with Arabic numerals sequentially. Do not use suffix letters (e.g. Table 3a, 3b, 3c); instead, combine the related tables. If the manuscript includes an appendix with tables, identify them with capital letters and Arabic numerals (e.g. Table A1, Table B2).

Like the title of the paper itself, each table must have a clear and concise title. Titles should be written in italicized title case below the table number, with a blank line between the number and the title. When appropriate, you may use the title to explain an abbreviation parenthetically.

Comparison of Median Income of Adopted Children (AC) v. Foster Children (FC)

Keep headings clear and brief. The heading should not be much wider than the widest entry in the column. Use of standard abbreviations can aid in achieving that goal. There are several types of headings:

  • Stub headings describe the lefthand column, or stub column , which usually lists major independent variables.
  • Column headings describe entries below them, applying to just one column.
  • Column spanners are headings that describe entries below them, applying to two or more columns which each have their own column heading. Column spanners are often stacked on top of column headings and together are called decked heads .
  • Table Spanners cover the entire width of the table, allowing for more divisions or combining tables with identical column headings. They are the only type of heading that may be plural.

All columns must have headings, written in sentence case and using singular language (Item rather than Items) unless referring to a group (Men, Women). Each column’s items should be parallel (i.e., every item in a column labeled “%” should be a percentage and does not require the % symbol, since it’s already indicated in the heading). Subsections within the stub column can be shown by indenting headings rather than creating new columns:

Chemical Bonds

     Ionic

     Covalent

     Metallic

The body is the main part of the table, which includes all the reported information organized in cells (intersections of rows and columns). Entries should be center aligned unless left aligning them would make them easier to read (longer entries, usually). Word entries in the body should use sentence case. Leave cells blank if the element is not applicable or if data were not obtained; use a dash in cells and a general note if it is necessary to explain why cells are blank.   In reporting the data, consistency is key: Numerals should be expressed to a consistent number of decimal places that is determined by the precision of measurement. Never change the unit of measurement or the number of decimal places in the same column.

There are three types of notes for tables: general, specific, and probability notes. All of them must be placed below the table in that order.

General  notes explain, qualify or provide information about the table as a whole. Put explanations of abbreviations, symbols, etc. here.

Example:  Note . The racial categories used by the US Census (African-American, Asian American, Latinos/-as, Native-American, and Pacific Islander) have been collapsed into the category “non-White.” E = excludes respondents who self-identified as “White” and at least one other “non-White” race.

Specific  notes explain, qualify or provide information about a particular column, row, or individual entry. To indicate specific notes, use superscript lowercase letters (e.g.  a ,  b ,  c ), and order the superscripts from left to right, top to bottom. Each table’s first footnote must be the superscript  a .

a  n = 823.  b  One participant in this group was diagnosed with schizophrenia during the survey.

Probability  notes provide the reader with the results of the tests for statistical significance. Asterisks indicate the values for which the null hypothesis is rejected, with the probability ( p value) specified in the probability note. Such notes are required only when relevant to the data in the table. Consistently use the same number of asterisks for a given alpha level throughout your paper.

* p < .05. ** p < .01. *** p < .001

If you need to distinguish between two-tailed and one-tailed tests in the same table, use asterisks for two-tailed p values and an alternate symbol (such as daggers) for one-tailed p values.

* p < .05, two-tailed. ** p < .01, two-tailed. † p <.05, one-tailed. †† p < .01, one-tailed.

Borders 

Tables should only include borders and lines that are needed for clarity (i.e., between elements of a decked head, above column spanners, separating total rows, etc.). Do not use vertical borders, and do not use borders around each cell. Spacing and strict alignment is typically enough to clarify relationships between elements.

This image shows an example of a table presented in the text of an APA 7 paper.

Example of a table in the text of an APA 7 paper. Note the lack of vertical borders.

Tables from Other Sources

If using tables from an external source, copy the structure of the original exactly, and cite the source in accordance with  APA style .

Table Checklist

(Taken from the  Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association , 7th ed., Section 7.20)

  • Is the table necessary?
  • Does it belong in the print and electronic versions of the article, or can it go in an online supplemental file?
  • Are all comparable tables presented consistently?
  • Are all tables numbered with Arabic numerals in the order they are mentioned in the text? Is the table number bold and left-aligned?
  • Are all tables referred to in the text?
  • Is the title brief but explanatory? Is it presented in italicized title case and left-aligned?
  • Does every column have a column heading? Are column headings centered?
  • Are all abbreviations; special use of italics, parentheses, and dashes; and special symbols explained?
  • Are the notes organized according to the convention of general, specific, probability?
  • Are table borders correctly used (top and bottom of table, beneath column headings, above table spanners)?
  • Does the table use correct line spacing (double for the table number, title, and notes; single, one and a half, or double for the body)?
  • Are entries in the left column left-aligned beneath the centered stub heading? Are all other column headings and cell entries centered?
  • Are confidence intervals reported for all major point estimates?
  • Are all probability level values correctly identified, and are asterisks attached to the appropriate table entries? Is a probability level assigned the same number of asterisks in all the tables in the same document?
  • If the table or its data are from another source, is the source properly cited? Is permission necessary to reproduce the table?

Figures include all graphical displays of information that are not tables. Common types include graphs, charts, drawings, maps, plots, and photos. Just like tables, figures should supplement the text and should be both understandable on their own and referenced fully in the text. This section details elements of formatting writers must use when including a figure in an APA document, gives an example of a figure formatted in APA style, and includes a checklist for formatting figures.

Preparing Figures

In preparing figures, communication and readability must be the ultimate criteria. Avoid the temptation to use the special effects available in most advanced software packages. While three-dimensional effects, shading, and layered text may look interesting to the author, overuse, inconsistent use, and misuse may distort the data, and distract or even annoy readers. Design properly done is inconspicuous, almost invisible, because it supports communication. Design improperly, or amateurishly, done draws the reader’s attention from the data, and makes him or her question the author’s credibility. Line drawings are usually a good option for readability and simplicity; for photographs, high contrast between background and focal point is important, as well as cropping out extraneous detail to help the reader focus on the important aspects of the photo.

Parts of a Figure

All figures that are part of the main text require a number using Arabic numerals (Figure 1, Figure 2, etc.). Numbers are assigned based on the order in which figures appear in the text and are bolded and left aligned.

Under the number, write the title of the figure in italicized title case. The title should be brief, clear, and explanatory, and both the title and number should be double spaced.

The image of the figure is the body, and it is positioned underneath the number and title. The image should be legible in both size and resolution; fonts should be sans serif, consistently sized, and between 8-14 pt. Title case should be used for axis labels and other headings; descriptions within figures should be in sentence case. Shading and color should be limited for clarity; use patterns along with color and check contrast between colors with free online checkers to ensure all users (people with color vision deficiencies or readers printing in grayscale, for instance) can access the content. Gridlines and 3-D effects should be avoided unless they are necessary for clarity or essential content information.

Legends, or keys, explain symbols, styles, patterns, shading, or colors in the image. Words in the legend should be in title case; legends should go within or underneath the image rather than to the side. Not all figures will require a legend.

Notes clarify the content of the figure; like tables, notes can be general, specific, or probability. General notes explain units of measurement, symbols, and abbreviations, or provide citation information. Specific notes identify specific elements using superscripts; probability notes explain statistical significance of certain values.

This image shows a generic example of a bar graph formatted as a figure in APA 7 style.

A generic example of a figure formatted in APA 7 style.

Figure Checklist 

(Taken from the  Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association , 7 th ed., Section 7.35)

  • Is the figure necessary?
  • Does the figure belong in the print and electronic versions of the article, or is it supplemental?
  • Is the figure simple, clean, and free of extraneous detail?
  • Is the figure title descriptive of the content of the figure? Is it written in italic title case and left aligned?
  • Are all elements of the figure clearly labeled?
  • Are the magnitude, scale, and direction of grid elements clearly labeled?
  • Are parallel figures or equally important figures prepared according to the same scale?
  • Are the figures numbered consecutively with Arabic numerals? Is the figure number bold and left aligned?
  • Has the figure been formatted properly? Is the font sans serif in the image portion of the figure and between sizes 8 and 14?
  • Are all abbreviations and special symbols explained?
  • If the figure has a legend, does it appear within or below the image? Are the legend’s words written in title case?
  • Are the figure notes in general, specific, and probability order? Are they double-spaced, left aligned, and in the same font as the paper?
  • Are all figures mentioned in the text?
  • Has written permission for print and electronic reuse been obtained? Is proper credit given in the figure caption?
  • Have all substantive modifications to photographic images been disclosed?
  • Are the figures being submitted in a file format acceptable to the publisher?
  • Have the files been produced at a sufficiently high resolution to allow for accurate reproduction?

COMMENTS

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  8. LibGuides: APA 7th edition

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  10. APA Style 7th Edition: Citing Your Sources

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  12. Academic Guides: Other APA Guidelines: Appendices

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  13. How do I do an APPENDIX in APA style?

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  14. Published Dissertation or Thesis References

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  17. APA Sample Paper

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  20. Dissertation Editor : APA Style: Tables, Figures, & Appendices

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