# How to Cite a Figure or Image in a Lab Report: APA, CSE, and Chicago Rules ## Quick Answer - Cite every figure or image you did not create yourself, whether reproduced or adapted, with a caption and a full reference entry in the style your instructor requires. - Obtain written permission from the copyright holder before reusing a published figure or image, even for a student lab report, unless the work is in the public domain or covered by an open license. - The specific format for captions and reference entries differs between APA, CSE, and Chicago, so confirm the required style guide before you begin writing. ## Understanding Why Figure Citations Matter in Lab Reports A lab report communicates your methods, observations, and interpretations to a reader who must be able to trace every piece of information back to its origin. Figures and images are not decorative additions. They carry data, show experimental setups, or illustrate concepts that support your conclusions. When you include a figure from a textbook, journal article, website, or another student's work, you are using someone else's intellectual property. Failing to cite it properly misleads your reader about the source of your information and can constitute academic misconduct. The Committee on Publication Ethics identifies transparency in reporting as a core expectation across research and academic work. Proper citation of figures and images is part of that transparency. It allows your instructor or another reader to locate the original source, verify the accuracy of what you have presented, and assess whether you have used the material appropriately. This applies equally to a first-year biology lab report and a manuscript prepared for journal submission. Beyond academic integrity, there is a legal dimension. Copyright law protects figures and images. Reproducing a figure from a published paper or textbook without permission can violate the rights of the author or publisher. Many institutions have specific policies about the use of copyrighted materials in student work. The practical rule is simple: if you did not create the figure yourself, you need to cite it, and in most cases you need permission to reproduce it. ## Core Principles of Figure Citation Across Styles ### Distinguish Reproduced Figures from Original Figures The first decision you must make is whether a figure is original or reproduced. An original figure is one you created from your own data, such as a graph you plotted from your experimental results or a photograph you took of your own sample. A reproduced figure is one you copied from another source, such as a diagram from a textbook or a micrograph from a journal article. An adapted figure is one you modified from another source, such as a flowchart you redrew with additional steps. The citation requirements differ for each category. Original figures typically need only a caption that describes what the figure shows. Reproduced and adapted figures need a caption that acknowledges the source and a full reference entry in your bibliography or reference list. Some style guides also require you to indicate in the caption whether the figure was reproduced unchanged or adapted with modifications. ### Captions Serve as the Primary Citation Location In all three major style guides, the caption is where the reader first encounters the source information for a figure. The caption appears directly below the figure and includes a figure number, a descriptive title, and the source attribution. The format of the source attribution varies by style, but the principle is consistent: the caption must make it clear where the figure came from. For a reproduced figure, the caption typically includes the phrase "Reprinted from" or "From" followed by the source information. For an adapted figure, the caption typically includes "Adapted from" followed by the source information. This distinction matters because it tells the reader whether the figure is an exact copy or a modified version. ### Reference Entries Complete the Citation The caption provides immediate source information, but it is not sufficient on its own. You must also include a full reference entry for the source in your reference list, bibliography, or works cited page. The format of this entry follows the same rules as any other reference in your paper. The reader should be able to use the reference entry to locate the original source in a library or online database. ## APA Style for Figure Citations ### Basic APA Figure Format The American Psychological Association style, commonly called APA, is widely used in the social sciences, education, and some life science courses. APA provides specific rules for figures in its publication manual. A figure in APA style includes the figure number in bold, a title in italics, the figure itself, and a note at the bottom. The figure number appears above the figure, not below it. The title appears on the same line as the figure number or directly below it. The note appears below the figure and contains the source attribution and any explanatory information. The note begins with the word "Note" in italics followed by a period. ### APA Caption Format for Reproduced Figures For a figure reproduced from another source, the note must include the source information. The format follows this general pattern: the word "Note" in italics, a period, the phrase "From" or "Reprinted from," the title of the source work, the author, the publication year, and the page number or figure number where the figure appears. The exact format depends on the type of source. For a figure from a journal article, you would include the article title, the journal name, the volume and issue numbers, the page range, and the DOI or URL. For a figure from a book, you would include the book title, the publisher, and the page number. ### APA Caption Format for Adapted Figures When you modify a figure from another source, the note must indicate that the figure was adapted. The format is similar to the reproduced figure format, but the word "Adapted" replaces "Reprinted" or "From." You should also describe the nature of the adaptation if it is not obvious from comparing the original and your version. ### APA Reference List Entry The reference list entry for the source of a figure follows the standard APA format for the source type. A journal article reference includes the author names, publication year, article title, journal name in italics, volume number in italics, issue number in parentheses, and page range. A book reference includes the author names, publication year, book title in italics, edition if applicable, and publisher. The reference list entry does not include the figure number or page number of the specific figure. That information belongs in the caption note. The reference list entry identifies the entire source work. ## CSE Style for Figure Citations ### Basic CSE Figure Format The Council of Science Editors style, commonly called CSE, is used in the biological and physical sciences. CSE offers three citation systems: name-year, citation-sequence, and citation-name. Your instructor will specify which system to use. The figure format is similar across all three systems, but the reference list format differs. In CSE style, figures are numbered sequentially in the order they appear in the text. The figure number and caption appear below the figure. The caption includes a brief descriptive title and the source attribution. ### CSE Caption Format For a figure reproduced from a journal article, the caption includes the phrase "Reprinted from" or "From" followed by the author names, the article title, the journal name, the year, the volume, and the page number. For a figure from a book, the caption includes the author or editor names, the book title, the publisher, the year, and the page number. The citation format within the caption depends on the citation system. In the name-year system, you include the author name and year in parentheses. In the citation-sequence system, you include a superscript number that corresponds to the reference list. In the citation-name system, you include a number that corresponds to an alphabetized reference list. ### CSE Reference List Entry The reference list entry follows the CSE format for the source type. For a journal article, the format includes the author names, article title, journal name, year, volume, and pages. For a book, the format includes the author names, book title, publisher, year, and total pages or specific pages. CSE reference formats are more compact than APA formats. Journal titles are abbreviated according to standard abbreviations. The order of elements differs from APA. You should consult the CSE manual or your instructor for the exact format required. ## Chicago Style for Figure Citations ### Basic Chicago Figure Format The Chicago Manual of Style, commonly called Chicago, is used in history, the humanities, and some social sciences. Chicago offers two documentation systems: notes-bibliography and author-date. The figure citation format differs between the two systems. In Chicago style, figures are called figures or plates. The caption appears below the figure and includes the figure number and a descriptive caption. The source attribution can appear in the caption or in a note. ### Chicago Notes-Bibliography Format In the notes-bibliography system, you cite the source of a figure in a footnote or endnote. The first note for a source includes the full publication information. Subsequent notes use a shortened form. The bibliography entry includes the full publication information. The caption for a figure in notes-bibliography style typically includes the phrase "Source:" followed by the bibliographic information. Alternatively, you can place the source information in a note and refer to it from the caption. ### Chicago Author-Date Format In the author-date system, the caption includes the author name, publication year, and page number in parentheses. The reference list entry includes the full publication information. The format is similar to APA but with some differences in punctuation and order. ### Chicago Reference List Entry The reference list entry in Chicago style follows the format for the source type. For a journal article, the entry includes the author names, article title in quotation marks, journal name in italics, volume number, issue number, year, and page range. For a book, the entry includes the author names, book title in italics, publisher, and year. ## At a Glance: Style Comparison Table | Element | APA | CSE | Chicago | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Caption location | Below figure, with note | Below figure | Below figure | | Figure number format | Bold, above figure | Sequential number | Sequential number | | Source attribution in caption | "From" or "Adapted from" with full source | "Reprinted from" with author, year, journal, volume, pages | "Source:" with full source or note reference | | Reference list format | Author, year, title, source, volume, pages | Author, title, source, year, volume, pages | Author, title, source, volume, pages | | Citation system options | Author-date only | Name-year, citation-sequence, citation-name | Notes-bibliography or author-date | | Common use | Social sciences, education, some life sciences | Biological and physical sciences | History, humanities, some social sciences | ## Practical Workflow for Citing Figures in Your Lab Report ### Step 1: Identify the Source of Every Figure Before you write a single word of your lab report, go through every figure and image you plan to include. For each one, determine whether you created it from your own data or obtained it from another source. If you obtained it from another source, record the full bibliographic information immediately. This includes the author names, title, publication year, journal or book title, volume and issue numbers, page numbers, DOI or URL, and the figure number or page number where the figure appears. Recording this information at the point of collection is critical. Trying to reconstruct source information later is time-consuming and error-prone. Keep a working document or spreadsheet with the source details for every figure you plan to use. ### Step 2: Determine Whether You Need Permission For a student lab report, the question of permission depends on your institution's policy and the nature of the source. Some institutions consider student work to be covered by fair use or educational exceptions. Others require written permission for any copyrighted material. The safest approach is to check your course syllabus or ask your instructor about the policy. For figures you plan to publish in a journal article or thesis, permission is almost always required unless the work is in the public domain or covered by a Creative Commons license. The Committee on Publication Ethics emphasizes that authors must obtain permission to reuse copyrighted material. Many publishers provide a rights and permissions office that can grant permission for a fee or for free in educational contexts. ### Step 3: Create the Caption Write the caption for each figure according to the style guide you are using. Include the figure number, a descriptive title, and the source attribution. For reproduced figures, use the appropriate phrase such as "From" or "Reprinted from." For adapted figures, use "Adapted from" and describe the modifications. ### Step 4: Create the Reference List Entry Add the full reference entry for each source to your reference list, bibliography, or works cited page. Format the entry according to the style guide. Verify that the entry matches the source information in the caption. ### Step 5: Cross-Check Every Citation Before submitting your lab report, go through every figure and confirm that the caption and the reference list entry match. Check that the figure number in the text matches the figure number in the caption. Verify that the source information is accurate and complete. A single typo in a DOI or page number can prevent your reader from locating the source. ## Records and Measurements for Citation Management ### What to Record for Each Figure Source Maintain a citation log for every figure you use. For a journal article, record the author names, article title, journal name, publication year, volume number, issue number, page range, DOI or URL, and the specific figure number you are using. For a book, record the author or editor names, book title, edition, publisher, publication year, and the page number where the figure appears. For a website, record the author or organization, page title, site name, publication or last-updated date, and the full URL. ### How to Verify Your Records Check each record against the actual source before you write your reference list. Open the journal article or book and confirm that the author names are spelled correctly, the volume and issue numbers are accurate, and the page numbers are correct. For online sources, verify that the URL works and leads to the page you used. The National Library of Medicine provides access to authoritative biomedical books and research-method references that can help you verify citation details for life science sources. ### Common Record-Keeping Errors The most common error is recording incomplete information. Students often note the article title and journal name but forget the volume, issue, or page numbers. Another common error is confusing the figure number in the source with the page number. A third error is failing to record the DOI or URL, which makes it difficult for the reader to locate the source online. ## Common Failure Patterns in Figure Citation ### Missing Source Attribution Entirely The most serious failure is including a figure without any source attribution. This can be interpreted as presenting someone else's work as your own, which is a form of plagiarism. Even if the omission is accidental, the consequence can be severe. Instructors and institutions treat unattributed figures as academic misconduct. ### Incorrect Caption Format A second common failure is using the wrong caption format for the required style. Each style guide has specific rules for the placement of the figure number, the use of italics, and the wording of the source attribution. A caption that follows the wrong format may be marked down even if the source information is present. ### Incomplete Reference Entries A third failure is providing an incomplete reference entry. Missing the volume number, page range, or DOI makes it difficult or impossible for the reader to locate the source. The reference entry must be complete and accurate to fulfill its purpose. ### Confusing Reproduced and Adapted Figures A fourth failure is failing to distinguish between reproduced and adapted figures. If you modify a figure, you must indicate that it was adapted. Presenting an adapted figure as an exact reproduction misleads the reader about the nature of the material. ### Using Figures Without Permission A fifth failure is using copyrighted figures without obtaining permission. This is a legal issue as well as an academic one. The Committee on Publication Ethics identifies the proper handling of intellectual property as a core expectation for researchers. For student work, the risk may be lower, but the principle still applies. ## Welfare and Safety Context for Figure Use ### Ethical Use of Images of Living Subjects If your lab report includes photographs or images of animals, human subjects, or tissue samples, you have additional ethical obligations. Images of human subjects require informed consent for publication. Images of animals should not misrepresent the conditions under which the animals were housed or handled. The National Institutes of Health provides guidance on the responsible conduct of research, including the use of images and data. ### Data Integrity in Figure Presentation Figures must accurately represent the underlying data. Cropping, scaling, or otherwise modifying an image can misrepresent the results. If you adjust an image for clarity, you should disclose the adjustment in the caption or methods section. The Committee on Publication Ethics addresses image manipulation as a form of research misconduct. ### Institutional Policies Your institution may have specific policies about the use of copyrighted material in student work. These policies may be stricter than the general principles of fair use. Check your student handbook or the library website for guidance. If you are unsure whether a particular figure requires permission, ask your instructor or a librarian. ## Professional Escalation Criteria ### When to Consult Your Instructor Consult your instructor if you are unsure which citation style to use, whether a particular figure requires permission, or how to format a caption for an unusual source type. It is better to ask before you submit than to receive a penalty for incorrect citation. ### When to Consult a Librarian Consult a librarian if you need help locating the original source of a figure, verifying bibliographic details, or understanding your institution's copyright policy. Librarians are trained to help with citation and research questions. ### When to Consult a Publisher or Copyright Holder Consult the publisher or copyright holder if you plan to use a figure in a published work, such as a thesis or journal article. The publisher's permissions office can tell you whether permission is required and how to obtain it. The National Institutes of Health provides guidance on data management and sharing that may be relevant if you are using figures from NIH-funded research. ### When to Consult an Ethics Officer Consult your institution's research integrity officer or ethics committee if you are unsure whether a particular use of a figure constitutes misconduct, or if you have been accused of improper citation. The Committee on Publication Ethics provides core practices that can help you understand your obligations. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Do I need to cite a figure I created myself from my own data? No, you do not need to cite a figure you created entirely from your own data. You should still include a caption that describes what the figure shows and refers to it in your text. The caption should identify the figure number and provide a descriptive title. ### Can I use a figure from a journal article in my lab report without permission? For a student lab report, the answer depends on your institution's policy. Many institutions consider educational use to be covered by fair use or a specific educational exception. However, some institutions require written permission for any copyrighted material. Check your course syllabus or ask your instructor. For a published work, you must obtain permission unless the figure is in the public domain or covered by an open license. ### What is the difference between "reprinted from" and "adapted from" in a caption? "Reprinted from" indicates that you have reproduced the figure exactly as it appeared in the original source. "Adapted from" indicates that you have modified the figure in some way, such as adding labels, changing colors, or combining elements from multiple sources. The distinction matters because it tells the reader whether the figure is an exact copy or a modified version. ### How do I cite a figure from a website in APA style? In APA style, the caption note includes the phrase "From" followed by the title of the webpage, the author or organization, the publication or last-updated date, and the URL. The reference list entry follows the APA format for a webpage. Include the site name and the full URL. ### What if I cannot find the original source of a figure? If you cannot find the original source, you should not use the figure. Using a figure without knowing its source means you cannot cite it properly, and you cannot verify that you have permission to use it. Find an alternative figure from a source you can identify, or create your own figure. ### Do figure citations count toward the word count of my lab report? Figure captions and reference list entries typically do not count toward the word count of a lab report, but this varies by instructor. Check your assignment instructions. Even if they do not count, they are required elements of the report. ### How many figures should I include in a lab report? Include only figures that are necessary to support your report. Each figure should serve a clear purpose, such as showing your results, illustrating your methods, or supporting your discussion. Figures that do not add information should be omitted. The number of figures depends on the nature of your experiment and the requirements of your assignment. ### What is the correct order for figures and tables in a lab report? Figures and tables are numbered separately and in the order they are first mentioned in the text. The first figure you refer to is Figure 1, the second is Figure 2, and so on. Tables follow the same pattern with Table 1, Table 2, and so on. Each figure and table must be mentioned in the text before it appears. ## Using the Evidence | Source | Best use in this topic | Important limitation | |---|---|---| | [Research Methods Resources](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books) | official guidance | Check the linked page for current local requirements | | [EQUATOR Network](https://www.equator-network.org/) | official guidance | Check the linked page for current local requirements | | [Core Practices](https://publicationethics.org/core-practices) | official guidance | Check the linked page for current local requirements | ## Related Articles - [Peer Review Metrics: What They Are and How to Use Them](/blog/guides/peer-review-metrics-what-they-are-and-how-to-use-them) - [Sample Size Symbol and Notation: What You Need to Know](/blog/guides/sample-size-symbol-and-notation-what-you-need-to-know) - [The Role of the Research Ethics Committee: What Researchers Need to Know](/blog/guides/the-role-of-the-research-ethics-committee-what-researchers-need-to-know) - [Cosmetics Regulatory Affairs Jobs: What You Need to Know](/blog/careers/cosmetics-regulatory-affairs-jobs-what-you-need-to-know) - [Bioinformatics Careers: What You Need to Know Before You Start](/blog/careers/bioinformatics-careers-what-you-need-to-know-before-you-start) ## References and Further Reading - [Research Methods Resources](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books). National Library of Medicine. - [EQUATOR Network](https://www.equator-network.org/). EQUATOR Network. - [Core Practices](https://publicationethics.org/core-practices). Committee on Publication Ethics. - [NIH Grants and Funding](https://grants.nih.gov/). National Institutes of Health. - [ORCID for Researchers](https://info.orcid.org/researchers). ORCID. - [Data Management and Sharing Policy](https://sharing.nih.gov/data-management-and-sharing-policy). National Institutes of Health. - [NCBI Literature Resources](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/). National Center for Biotechnology Information. - [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/). National Library of Medicine. > This article is educational and does not replace institutional policy, professional advice, or applicable safety and regulatory requirements.