Harvard guide contents
Images (including photographs, charts, graphs and diagrams) are cited by using captions to label the image and provide information about its source.
Images are referred to as figures (e.g. Figure 1) in the body of the text. Use the same locator (e.g. Figure 1) to caption the image. Provide information about the source of the image in the caption as well. Place the image close to where it is mentioned in the text.
Example figure and caption:
Figure 1: The pyramid of evidence. Source: Ho PM, Peterson PN and Masoudi FA (2008)
The Style Manual contains more information about captions for images and figures, as well as legends for graphs.
Image captions
Begin captions with the same locator used in the body of the text, to link the text to the figure. Include a brief explanation for the figure, and include creator and date details if the figure is from another creator (e.g. a graph from another source). If you have created a graph using published data, include the details of the data source in your caption.
Example captions:
- For a figure created yourself, e.g. a graph of your own data, include a brief description.
Rule: Figure number: Brief explanation.
Example: Figure 1: Changes in workplace productivity due to COVID-19.
- For a graph created using published data from another source.
Rule: Figure number: Brief explanation of the graph or table, data obtained from Author A or Name of Agency (Year) Title of data set [data set], Name of Website, accessed DD Month YYYY. URL
Example: Figure 1: AUD/USD exchange rates from 1970 to 2000. Data sourced from RBA (Reserve Bank of Australia) (n.d.) Exchange rates: monthly: July 1969 to December 2009 [data set], accessed 4 December 2019. https://www.rba.gov.au/statistics/historical-data.html
Note: If using data from a PDF or spreadsheet, avoid linking directly to the document. Instead link to the webpage that hosts the document.
- For a graph reproduced from a published source:
Rule: Figure number: Description of figure. From Author A or Organisation (Year)
Example: Figure 1: The pyramid of evidence. Source: Ho PM, Peterson PN and Masoudi FA (2008)
Note: Include the full reference for the publication in the reference list.
See the Style Manual section on captions for images and figures, as well as legends for graphs.
For artworks, see the Style Manual section on works of art.
Tables
Use tables for exact values and information that is too detailed for the text. Use a table only if there isn't a simpler way to present your content such as a list or a diagram.
Tables should include a caption title row and column headings, information (exact values)
Table Captions
Use Table 1, Table 2 etc to caption tables.
See the Style Manual section on tables.
Data sets
To include a data set in your reference list, use the following guidelines.
For online data sets, include the accessed date and the URL. If you’re citing a PDF or spreadsheet, avoid linking directly to the document. Instead link to the webpage that hosts the document.
Rule: Author A or Name of Agency (Year) Title of data set [data set], Name of Website, accessed DD Month YYYY. URL
Example: National Native Title Tribunal (2014) Native Title determination outcomes [data set], accessed 4 January 2020. data.gov.au/data/dataset/native-title-determination-outcomes
Example: RBA (Reserve Bank of Australia) (n.d.) Exchange rates: monthly: July 1969 to December 2009 [data set], accessed 4 December 2019. https://www.rba.gov.au/statistics/historical-data.html