How to Cite a Picture in a Research Paper

How to Cite a Picture in a Research PaperIn the field of science and engineering, a picture is worth a thousand words. Because pictures are usually accompanied by images or diagrams, such as photographs or illustrations, they also qualify to be cited in a research paper. How to cite a picture is not that complicated, but it is not that easy either.First of all, the researcher has to remember that the picture he or she needs to use needs to be an original one. In other words, it should not be copied from any other work in his or her project. Furthermore, the photograph in question should not have been modified in any way. For example, the photographer should not have removed the people's heads from their bodies.Citation of images is quite easy. The researcher only needs to describe in as much detail as possible the picture he or she wants to use, including the source and the date it was taken. In most cases, the picture in question can be cited as source A, while the one it is an illu stration for is referenced as source B. However, sometimes the second source is not used at all, and the picture is used for supporting data.The picture is then classified according to what the researcher wants to do with it: to use it for supporting data, to use it as source A, or to use it as a supporting illustration. The conclusion part of the paper is dedicated to this topic. In fact, using a picture in a research paper is best done when the source is a source illustration and the picture is used as a supporting illustration.If the picture that is to be used as a reference in a research paper is the illustration that gives emphasis to the results or theories of the article, then the researcher is allowed to use the illustration. However, if the picture is one that the author of the article will also use in the article, then the picture must be attributed as author's work. In other words, the researcher can still use the picture, but he or she should not mention the author's nam e in the text.If the picture is used in the text and the author will never make use of it in the final article, then it is acceptable to include the image in the text as reference. However, the use of a picture is not enough to exclude the author's name from the text.Moreover, the caption of the image used as reference in a research paper must also not be included in the body of the paper. In fact, the caption should be added to the end of the paper.So, the next time you are asked to cite a picture in a research paper, don't hesitate to use it. It is an excellent tool to give emphasis to your research results.