Guides: Images: finding, using and referencing: Referencing images

Referencing: cite and credit

Whenever you use an image, graph, chart, photograph, technical drawing....whatever it is, you always need to cite or credit the image you have used AND this includes not only within traditional essays and dissertations but also on a posters or presentations.

Questions to ask:

Am I using an image created by someone else? (You will need to cite or credit it).
Why do I need to cite an image? (To give credit to the creator and to provide information so others can find and reuse the image).
Where do I find the information I need for a citation? (It can take some detective work, especially if you find the image on a website).
What is the best way to cite an image in my project? (This will depend on what the image is and how you are using it. It will also vary on the referencing style you use).
How do I format the citation? (You can check the referencing style for your programme and refer to the relevant handbook. You can also see some examples on this guide).

In-text citations

Generally, when citing images (or graphs, charts, maps, drawings, photographs) in-text, use the creator's last name and the date of creation of the image within closed brackets e.g. (Creator, 2021). If there is no creator, a title can used instead e.g. (Title, 2024). If there is no title, use the first information available from the complete citation from the reference list entry. Each in-text citation must match an item in the reference list.

Citing and crediting: different project types

Type of project	Location of citation or credit	Style and tips
Research paper, essay, dissertation	Reference list, bibliography and figure or caption	Academic citation style using recommended University of Lincoln referencing handbook. For information on the referencing handbooks, go to the Library website Referencing & Plagiarism page. Use the same style for images that you would use for other research materials.
Poster	Caption directly under each image or brief caption and reference list	Adapted academic citation style Captions should follow standard citation guidelines Consider the overall style when deciding how to include references or captions
Presentation	Caption directly under each image or in a list at the end of the presentation	Adapted academic citation style Captions should follow standard citation guidelines Consider the overall style when deciding how to include references or captions
Online space	Caption directly under image	Image credit with title, creator, date, link to source, and license or copyright information if relevant.
Creative work	Caption accompanying the image	Image credit with information about the new work and any reused images created by others.

Adapted from: Brown, N.E., Bussert, K., Hattwig, D. and Medaille, A. (2016) Visual literacy for libraries: A practical, standards-based guide. London: Facet Publishing.

Keeping track

Reference management software helps you to organise your references and generate citations and reference lists.

We provide access to and support your use of RefWorks or EndNote.

Referencing management tools

Where to include

Every time you use an image, photograph, graph, map or illustration in your writing, it may be referred to up to three times:

1. Figures and Captions: In a caption under the image.

2. In-text citation: In your writing with an in-text citation.

3. Reference List or List of Illustrations: If you have only used a few images, include them in same Reference List as your books, articles, etc. If you have a large number of images in your dissertation or thesis, you should reference them in a separate List of Illustrations or List of Figures.

List of figures or Illustrations

Check with your tutor and assignment brief as to what is required.
Either at the start of an essay or report or at the end, before the List of References.
Unlike other references, the images/illustrations not listed alphabetically, but in the order they appear in the work.

If you refer to an image from a printed source (e.g. book), you must reference the source.
Check with your tutor for specific criteria, e.g. a list of images or illustrations as an appendix.
It is not necessary to provide a reference for an image you have created yourself.