Report Guide: C) Tables, figures and pictures

For students who started before 2025

For students who started in 2025 or later

Reference to tables and figures

Tables and figures are often used in theses to visualise the text. In tables, information is presented in columns and rows. Figures include charts, graphs, photographs, drawings, plots, infographics and other types of visual illustrations that are not tables. Accurate and illustrative tables and figures enable quick summary or general view on the contents of several text pages.

Paragraphs may not start with a table or a figure. Instead, tables and figures have to be preceded by descriptive, explanatory or justificatory text. Tables or figures may thus not be left for the reader to interpret on their own. If a table or figure has been taken from a source, it must be cited, just like any other paraphrased or quoted material.

You can use other persons’ tables and figures in your thesis based on 

• citation right: Another person’s photographs, drawings, graphs or tables may be used in a thesis or scientific publication if certain criteria are fulfilled. You have to discuss the contents of cited tables or figures within the body text and they should illustrate or clarify the text. Figures may not be used as mere illustrations. The cited table or figure must be a published one. The source, which normally includes the author’s name and title of the original work, must be mentioned.
• CC licence: The CC licence and the name of the original author have to be given in connection with the figure. More information about the CC licence can be found at www.creativecommons.fi.
• author's permission: You can request permission to use a figure directly from the author or copyright holder. This is especially important if the figure has not been published.

If the figure is from reference data, the citation is added to the caption and the information is added to the list of references. As regards photographs, the photographer's name and the year the photograph was taken are marked in parenthesis after the caption, e.g. (Photograph: First name Family name). Thesis authors also mark their own photographs in this way.

If you are not sure whether you have the right to use a figure or a photograph, do not use it.

Further information: Kopiosto

If a table or figure has been edited, it has to be stated. See example under Figures and pictures.