When adapting a table or figure from another source in academic writing, it is essential to acknowledge the reprint using both in-text citation and the final reference list. There are specific requirements for APA tables and figure citation, and understanding these nuances can be greatly aided by studying APA examples. This article discusses the APA table and figure citation requirements and instructions, providing a comprehensive guide for scholars.
APA Table and Figure Citation – In a Nutshell
- The APA table and figure citation rules recommend that you follow the format for the source type where you got the table or figure.
- You also need to number the figures and sources before citing them.
- You must include the sources of the tables and figures in the final reference list following the standard format for their source.
- The APA table and figure citation format requires you to include a copyright statement in the form of a note below the table or figure.
- You may also need a copyright note for APA table and figure citation. Permission to reproduce or adapt the table or figure may also be necessary depending on the copyright owner.
Definition: APA table and figure citation
The core rule in academic writing is that you must cite all the sources you acquired your information, including tables and figures. The citation formats usually differ depending on the citation type. According to the APA table and figure citation format,
you can either place the tables and figures on a separate page after the reference list or embed each figure or table within the text. You must label all the tables and figures in their order of appearance. All the sources for the tables and figures must be acknowledged
in the reference list and in-text citation. The APA table and figure citation format requires you to follow the format for the source of the table or figure. Additionally, you must include a copyright statement immediately below the table or figure.
APA table and figure citation: Format
The first rule of APA table and figure citation is numbering the tables and presenting them in the same format as your original tables and figures. You can refer to them as Table, 1, table 1, figure 1, figure 2, etc. Additionally, you must add an in-text citation after stating the tables to recognize their origin.
Besides the in-text APA table and figure citation, the source should also appear in the final reference list. Here, you must follow the format for the source type where you acquired the table or figure.
Example
In-text citation: The data in Table 2 (Goldberg, 1998, p.180) shows that…
Example
Reference list entry: Goldberg, I. (1998). The origin of observational bias. Human Behavioral Theory, 24(2), 180-200. https://doi/org/19.112/12545(20)90050-K
APA table and figure citation: Copyright note
In addition to an in-text citation and a reference in the final reference list, your academic paper also needs to acknowledge the sources of your tables and figures in a note immediately beneath it. There are specific APA table and figure citation formats that explain how you can include a copyright note for your tables and figures.
Including a copyright note
A copyright note is a statement that acknowledges that the table or figure is someone else’s intellectual property and you do not hold rights to it. The copyright note should include information on where the table or figure comes from, the author, title, publication year, publisher, and location.
Example
Start the note with “From” or “Adapted from” if you reprinted similarly.
Finally, the copyright information should appear at the end of the copyright note.
Types of copyright and permission
There are three types of copyright you can include in your APA table and figure citation.
| Standard copyright | Copyright 2011 by KenHa |
| Creative commons | DD-KY-GH |
| Public domain | In public domain |
When adapting or reprinting tables or figures under the standard copyright, you may need permission from the copyright holder. APA table and figure citation dictates that you mention that you sought and were granted permission at the end of the copyright note.
Example
Copyright by the Psychological Association of America. Adapted with permission.
APA table and figure citation: Examples of different source types
Journal article
| Note format | Note. Adapted from “Title of the article” By “Author’s last name, publication year, journal name, and volume (issue), p. page number (URL). Copyright statement. |
| Copyright note | Note. Adapted from “Basics of Human Behavioral Theory,” By K. Lauder and L. Manner, 2001, The American Psychological Association APA table and figure citation, 11(3), p. 203 (https://doi/org/19.112/12545(20)90050-K). DD-KY-GH. |
| APA reference entry | Lauder, K., & Manner, L. (2001). Basics of Human Behavioral Theory. The American Psychological Association APA table and figure citation, 11(3), 203-224. https://doi/org/19.112/12545(20)90050-K |
Website
| Note format | Note. From or Adapted from page title, by Initials, Last Name, Year (URL). Copyright statement. |
| Copyright note | Note, Adapted from The American Psychological Association APA table and figure citation, by K. Martin, 2003 (https://doi/org/19.112/12545(20)90050-K). Copyright 2003 by KenHa. |
| APA reference entry | Martin, K. (2003, May 24). The American Psychological Association APA table and figure citation. KenHa. https://doi/org/19.112/12545(20)90050-K/ |
Book
| Note format | Note. From or Adapted from Book Title (p. page number), by Initial. Last Name, Year, Publisher, (DOI or URL). Copyright statement. |
| Copyright note | Note. Adapted from The American Psychological Association APA table and figure citation, by K. Manner, 2002, p 100, Free Press. Copyright 2002 by Free Press. Adapted with permission. |
| APA reference entry | Manner, K. (2001). The American Psychological Association APA table and figure citation. Free Press. |
FAQs
Yes, the APA table and figure citation instruction guide indicates that all tables and figures adapted or reprinted from other sources should be included in the APA reference list.
The copyright information is usually available on the source where the table or figure is published. However, you can also ask your instructor for guidelines or search the website’s database.
It depends on the publisher and the type of copyright. For instance, you may need permission to use tables and figures for tables under the standard copyright type. You can contact the publisher or table author for permission.
According to the APA table and figure citation guidelines, you should follow the citation format used in the source from where you got the table. Reference list and in-text citations are necessary.
