Illustration – tables, figures, quotations

In order to illustrate the results of the study, you can use tables, pictures, figures or direct quotations selected from empirical data. You can also use figures to illustrate e.g. the progress of work – of a product, work of art etc.

The tables and figures must be clear, informative and appropriate. They must be understandable on the basis of the content and heading, without additional text. However, the body of the text shall always refer to the table, figure or picture. The reference shall include the number, e.g. “Table 1” or “In Figure 2…” instead of “the table below” or “the figure above”. Both tables and figures have to be numbered throughout the report.

See also the pdf file on illustrations.

Information on statistical graphics is provided by Statistics Finland’s eCourse in Statistics.

HOW SIGNIFICANT IS THE FIGURE OR TABLE?

Or: what is the significance of the figure or table? This has an impact on the place: should I place it in the body of the text or in the appendices? Within the body of the text, it clarifies things, illustrates and makes understanding easier. A table or figure that is not essential for understanding the text can be placed in the appendices. It provides the reader with additional information.

If the table or figure is quoted from somewhere, the source shall be marked close to the heading (and in the list of references).

PICTURES IN A THESIS

Pictures illustrate the thesis report. They must be closely connected to the subject matter of your thesis. Pictures published by others can be quoted in scientific presentations, such as a thesis or a study on art history, as well as in presentations of a reviewing nature, such as a theatre or art critique. Please note that the right to quote pictures is limited by copyright legislation; in practice, a picture can generally be used in a scientific publication (e.g. thesis) only when it has a clear illustrative connection to the text of the thesis.

If you want to use a picture published elsewhere in your thesis for other purposes – for example, to enliven a guide booklet created during the thesis process – the right to quote pictures is not applicable. In such cases, you must either ask the creator or the holder of the rights for permission, or use a picture permitted by its creator to be freely used. You can find such pictures to be freely used in photo management services on the internet (e.g. Flickr) by limiting the advanced search to Creative Commons i.e. CC licensed pictures. Similarly, you can limit the Google advanced search. Instructions for the use of Creative Commons licensed pictures are available at creativecommons.org.

You can use pictures taken or created by yourself freely as long as you pay attention to the right to privacy of the persons appearing in them. If there are clearly recognisable persons in a picture, ask them for permission to use it. Please note that theses – with the pictures – are generally available in the Theseus online archive for anyone to view.

If you use a picture taken or created by someone else – e.g. an acquaintance of yours – that has not yet been published elsewhere, you must ask for permission to use it. The creator's name must be mentioned in connection with the picture, and it must be stated that the use of the picture is authorised. Furthermore, the author of the thesis must ask the persons appearing in the picture for their consent before he or she can use it.

REFERENCING OF PICTURES

You must make a reference in connection with the picture, and mark it in the list of references. Below each picture, you should indicate its number (Picture 1, Picture 2 etc.) and provide a caption (Style: Table and Figure Captions) with information about the picture.

The text must refer to all the pictures included in the thesis. Please refer to the pictures using their number (e.g. “Picture 1 defines...”). In the middle of the text, you can refer to a picture using brackets (Picture 1). A separate list of pictures needs not be attached to the list of references. Photographs of works of art can be used in a thesis. Remember to provide information on the object of the picture (name of work of art, artist and year, if known) in addition to the information on the creator or photographer.