• Bipolar Disorder
  • Therapy Center
  • When To See a Therapist
  • Types of Therapy
  • Best Online Therapy
  • Best Couples Therapy
  • Best Family Therapy
  • Managing Stress
  • Sleep and Dreaming
  • Understanding Emotions
  • Self-Improvement
  • Healthy Relationships
  • Student Resources
  • Personality Types
  • Guided Meditations
  • Verywell Mind Insights
  • 2024 Verywell Mind 25
  • Mental Health in the Classroom
  • Editorial Process
  • Meet Our Review Board
  • Crisis Support

How to Write an APA Appendix

Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

dissertation appendix apa

Amanda Tust is a fact-checker, researcher, and writer with a Master of Science in Journalism from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.

dissertation appendix apa

 damircudric / Getty Images

  • When to Use an Appendix
  • What to Include
  • Basic Rules

If you are writing a psychology paper for a class or for publication, you may be required to include an appendix in APA format. An APA appendix is found at the end of a paper and contains information that supplements the text but that is too unwieldy or distracting to include in the main body of the paper. 

APA format is the official writing style used by the American Psychological Association . This format dictates how academic and professional papers should be structured and formatted. 

Does Your Paper Need an APA Appendix?

Some questions to ask about whether you should put information in the body of the paper or in an appendix:

  • Is the material necessary for the reader to understand the research? If the answer is yes, it should be in your paper and not in an appendix.
  • Would including the information interrupt the flow of the paper? If the answer is yes, then it should likely appear in the appendix.
  • Would the information supplement what already appears in your paper? If yes, then it is a good candidate for including in an appendix.

Your appendix is not meant to become an information dump. While the information in your appendices is supplementary to your paper and research, it should still be useful and relevant. Only include what will help readers gain insight and understanding, not clutter or unnecessary confusion.

What to Include in an APA Appendix

The APA official stylebook suggests that the appendix should include information that would be distracting or inappropriate in the text of the paper.

Some examples of information you might include in an appendix include:

  • Correspondence (if it pertains directly to your research)
  • Demographic details about participants or groups
  • Examples of participant responses
  • Extended or detailed descriptions
  • Lists that are too lengthy to include in the main text
  • Large amounts of raw data
  • Lists of supporting research and articles that are not directly referenced in-text
  • Materials and instruments (if your research relied on special materials or instruments, you might want to include images and further information about how these items work or were used)
  • Questionnaires that were used as part of your research
  • Raw data (presented in an organized, readable format)
  • Research surveys

While the content found in the appendix is too cumbersome to include in the main text of your paper, it should still be easily presented in print format.

The appendices should always act as a supplement to your paper. The body of your paper should be able to stand alone and fully describe your research or your arguments.

The body of your paper should not be dependent upon what is in the appendices. Instead, each appendix should act to supplement what is in the primary text, adding additional (but not essential) information that provides extra insight or information for the reader. 

Basic Rules for an APA Appendix

Here are some basic APA appendix rules to keep in mind when working on your paper:

  • Your paper may have more than one appendix.
  • Each item usually gets its own appendix section.
  • Begin each appendix on a separate page.
  • Each appendix must have a title.
  • Use title case for your title and labels (the first letter of each word should be capitalized, while remaining letters should be lowercase).
  • If your paper only has one appendix, simply title it Appendix. 
  • If you have more than one appendix, each one should be labeled Appendix A, Appendix B, Appendix C, and so on.
  • Put the appendix label centered at the top of the page.
  • On the next line under the appendix label, place the centered title of the appendix. 
  • If you refer to a source in your appendix, include an in-text citation just as you would in the main body of your paper and then include the source in your main reference section.
  • Each appendix may contain headings, subheadings, figures, and tables. 
  • Each figure or table in your appendix should include a brief but explanatory title, which should be italicized. 
  • If you want to reference your appendix within the text of your paper, include a parenthetical note in the text. For example, you would write (See Appendix A).

Formatting an APA Appendix

How do you format an appendix in APA? An APA appendix should follow the overall rules on how to format text. Such rules specify what font and font size you should use, the size of your margins, and the spacing of the text.

Some of the APA format guidelines you need to observe:

  • Use a consistent font, such as 12-point Times New Roman or 11-point Calibri
  • Double-space your text
  • All paragraphs should be indented on the first line
  • Page numbering should be continuous with the rest of your paper

The appendix label should appear centered and bolded at the top of the page. A descriptive title should follow and should also be bolded and centered. As with other pages in your paper, your APA format appendix should be left-aligned and double-spaced. Each page should include a page number in the top right corner. You can also have more than one appendix, but each one should begin on a new page.

Data Displays in an APA Appendix

When presenting information in an appendix, use a logical layout for any data displays such as tables or figures. All tables and figures should be labeled with the words “Table” or “Figure” (sans quotation marks) and the letter of the appendix and then numbered.

For example, Table A1 would be the first table in an Appendix A. Data displays should be presented in the appendix following the same order that they first appear in the text of your paper.

In addition to following basic APA formatting rules, you should also check to see if there are additional guidelines you need to follow. Individual instructors or publications may have their own specific requirements.

Where to Include an APA Appendix

If your paper does require an appendix, it should be the very last pages of your finished paper. An APA format paper is usually structured in the following way:

Your paper may not necessarily include all of these sections. At a minimum, however, your paper may consist of a title page, abstract, main text, and reference section. Also, if your paper does not contain tables, figures, or footnotes, then the appendix would follow the references.

Never include an appendix containing information that is not referred to in your text. 

A Word From Verywell

Writing a paper for class or publication requires a great deal of research, but you should pay special attention to your APA formatting. Each section of your paper, including the appendix section, needs to follow the rules and guidelines provided in the American Psychological Association’s stylebook.

American Psychological Association. Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). Washington DC: The American Psychological Association; 2020.

By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

Form and Style Review Home Page

Capstone Form and Style

More apa style guidelines: appendices.

APA 7 addresses appendices and supplemental materials in Section 2.14 and on page 41. As a general guide, appendices are appropriate for any material that, if presented in the main body of the document, would unnecessarily interrupt the flow of the writing. In Walden doctoral capstone studies, you may include some appendices with supplementary information. If so, remember that

  • The appendices follow the reference list.
  • They are lettered A, B, C, and so forth. If you have only one appendix, however, simply label it Appendix.
  • Appendices are paginated continuously in the upper-right corner of all pages.
  • The materials in the appendix must not extend beyond the margins of the rest of the document: Reduce the size of the appendix materials as needed.
  • Appendices are labeled following the ordering of appendices in the text (APA 7, Section 2.14). Appendix A should be the first appendix referred to the text and the first appendix in the appendices.
  • Tables and figures are placed in separate appendices. The appendix title serves as the title for a table if it is the only table in the appendix. These tables and figures are not included in the Table of Contents.
  • If you decide that certain tables and figures should appear in the same appendix, number them A1, A2, A3, and so forth, according to the appendix in which they appear. Add these tables and figures to the List of Tables or List of Figures, following the last table or figure from the narrative chapters.
  • Personal contact information or other sorts of identifying information from any materials in an appendix should be deleted. This will protect your privacy and that of any other researchers, mentors, or participants.
  • Any consent form(s) you may have included at the proposal or IRB review stages should be deleted.
  • Letters of permission should be included in an appendix. Any published material not in the public domain requires permission from the copyright holder. Note that permission to use a published survey instrument or other test instrument is a separate permission and must be included in your manuscript. See the ProQuest information on copyright and permissions in graduate research.
  • Previous Page: Abbreviations
  • Next Page: Capitalization
  • Office of Student Disability Services

Walden Resources

Departments.

  • Academic Residencies
  • Academic Skills
  • Career Planning and Development
  • Customer Care Team
  • Field Experience
  • Military Services
  • Student Success Advising
  • Writing Skills

Centers and Offices

  • Center for Social Change
  • Office of Academic Support and Instructional Services
  • Office of Degree Acceleration
  • Office of Research and Doctoral Services
  • Office of Student Affairs

Student Resources

  • Doctoral Writing Assessment
  • Form & Style Review
  • Quick Answers
  • ScholarWorks
  • SKIL Courses and Workshops
  • Walden Bookstore
  • Walden Catalog & Student Handbook
  • Student Safety/Title IX
  • Legal & Consumer Information
  • Website Terms and Conditions
  • Cookie Policy
  • Accessibility
  • Accreditation
  • State Authorization
  • Net Price Calculator
  • Contact Walden

Walden University is a member of Adtalem Global Education, Inc. www.adtalem.com Walden University is certified to operate by SCHEV © 2024 Walden University LLC. All rights reserved.

homepage

APA Style Guide: 7th Edition

  • How To Use This Guide
  • Ethical Use of Sources & Plagiarism This link opens in a new window
  • Introduction to DOI
  • Formatting: Title Page, Body, References
  • Formatting: Annotated Bibliographies

Formatting: Appendices

  • Formatting: Quotations
  • Formatting: Business Reports
  • How to Format In-text Citations
  • Citing Multiple Works
  • Number and Type of Author
  • Publication Date
  • Page, Paragraph Number, Heading, and Time Stamp
  • Citing Text Content Created by AI
  • Citing Image Content Created by AI
  • Brightspace, with Author
  • Brightspace, No Author
  • Comment on Blog Post
  • Book with Author(s)
  • Book with Author(s) and Editor(s)
  • Book with Editor(s), No Author
  • Book with Organization as Author
  • Book with the Same Organization as Author & Publisher
  • Textbook Chapter with Book Editor(s) and Chapter Author(s)
  • Translation, Print Book
  • Work in an Anthology
  • Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
  • Dictionary with Editor(s)
  • Entry in Online Dictionary, No Author
  • Report with Author(s)
  • Report, No Author
  • Report with Report Number
  • Report with Multiple Levels of Government
  • eBook from Website or Library Database, with DOI
  • eBook from Library Database, no DOI
  • eBook from Website, no DOI
  • Open Textbook
  • General Information & Checklist
  • Figure Notes & Legend
  • In-text Citation & Reference Formatting
  • Journal Article, Print
  • Journal Article from Website or Library Database, with DOI
  • Journal Article from Library Database, no DOI
  • Journal Article from Website, no DOI
  • Referencing: Images
  • Referencing: Indigenous Elders & Knowledge Keepers
  • Magazine Article, Print
  • Magazine Article from Website, with DOI
  • Magazine Article from Website, no DOI
  • Newspaper Article, Print
  • Newspaper Article from Library Database
  • Newspaper Article from Website
  • Newspaper Article, No Author
  • Personal Communication, General
  • Traditional Knowledge or Oral Traditions of Indigenous Peoples
  • Referencing: Podcasts
  • Referencing: PowerPoint Presentations
  • Referencing: Secondary Sources
  • Twitter Profile
  • X (Tweet) or Instagram Post
  • Facebook Page
  • Post on Facebook, Tumblr, Linkedin, etc.
  • TikTok Profile
  • TikTok Post
  • Referencing: Statistics Canada
  • Table Notes
  • Film or Video
  • Online Film or Streaming Video
  • YouTube Video, Personal Author
  • YouTube Video, Username (No Personal Author Listed)
  • Webpage on a News Website
  • Webpage with Group or Organization as Author
  • Webpage with a Personal Author
  • Webpage with a Retrieval Date
  • Common Knowledge
  • Additional Resources
  • Annotated Bibliographies This link opens in a new window
  • Take A Quiz
  • What is an Appendix? (Plural: Appendices)
  • Format Guidelines

An appendix consists of supplemental material that would be distracting or inappropriate in the text of the paper. Only include an appendix if it helps the reader understand, evaluate, or replicate the study or argument.

Some examples of items typically included in appendices are:

  • Text, tables, figures or a combination of these
  • Lists of stimulus materials
  • Instructions to participants
  • Tests, scales, or inventories developed for a study
  • Descriptions of complex equipment
  • Detailed or complex descriptions of items used to conduct a study
  • Appendices should be positioned at the end of the paper, after the references list
  • Each appendix should begin on a separate page 
  • Each appendix should have a label AND a title
  • If a paper has one appendix, label it Appendix
  • If a paper has more than one appendix (or appendices), label them in order using the letters of the alphabet: Appendix A, Appendix B, Appendix C , etc.
  • The appendix title should describe the contents of the appendix
  • Refer to the appendix using its label at least once within the paper
  • Format the contents of the appendices as per APA formatting guidelines

dissertation appendix apa

  • << Previous: Formatting: Annotated Bibliographies
  • Next: Formatting: Quotations >>
  • Last Updated: Jul 8, 2024 1:29 PM
  • URL: https://library.nic.bc.ca/apa7th

dissertation appendix apa

Community Blog

Keep up-to-date on postgraduate related issues with our quick reads written by students, postdocs, professors and industry leaders.

Thesis and Dissertation Appendicies – What to Include

Picture of DiscoverPhDs

  • By DiscoverPhDs
  • August 12, 2020

What is an Appendix Dissertation explained

An appendix is a section at the end of a dissertation that contains supplementary information. An appendix may contain figures, tables, raw data, and other additional information that supports the arguments of your dissertation but do not belong in the main body.

It can be either a long appendix or split into several smaller appendices. Each appendix should have its own title and identification letters, and the numbering for any tables or figures in them should be reset at the beginning of each new appendix.

Purpose of an Appendix

When writing the main body of your dissertation, it is important to keep it short and concise in order to convey your arguments effectively.

Given the amount of research you would have done, you will probably have a lot of additional information that you would like to share with your audience.

This is where appendices come in. Any information that doesn’t support your main arguments or isn’t directly relevant to the topic of your dissertation should be placed in an appendix.

This will help you organise your paper, as only information that adds weight to your arguments will be included; it will also help improve your flow by minimising unnecessary interruptions.

Note, however, that your main body must be detailed enough that it can be understood without your appendices. If a reader has to flip between pages to make sense of what they are reading, they are unlikely to understand it.

For this reason, appendices should only be used for supporting background material and not for any content that doesn’t fit into your word count, such as the second half of your literature review .

What to Include in a Dissertation Appendix

A dissertation appendix can be used for the following supplementary information:

Research Results

There are various ways in which research results can be presented, such as in tables or diagrams.

Although all of your results will be useful to some extent, you won’t be able to include them all in the main body of your dissertation. Consequently, only those that are crucial to answering your research question should be included.

Your other less significant findings should be placed in your appendix, including raw data, proof of control measures, and other supplemental material.

Details of Questionnaires and Interviews

You can choose to include the details of any surveys and interviews you have conducted. This can include:

  • An interview transcript,
  • A copy of any survey questions,
  • Questionnaire results.

Although the results of your surveys, questionnaires or interviews should be presented and discussed in your main text, it is useful to include their full form in the appendix of a dissertation to give credibility to your study.

Tables, Figures and Illustrations

If your dissertation contains a large number of tables, figures and illustrative material, it may be helpful to insert the less important ones in your appendix. For example, if you have four related datasets, you could present all the data and trend lines (made identifiable by different colours) on a single chart with a further breakdown for each dataset in your appendix.

Letters and Correspondence

If you have letters or correspondence, either between yourself and other researchers or places where you sought permission to reuse copyrighted material, they should be included here. This will help ensure that your dissertation doesn’t become suspected of plagiarism.

List of Abbreviations

Most researchers will provide a list of abbreviations at the beginning of their dissertation, but if not, it would be wise to add them as an appendix.

This is because not all of your readers will have the same background as you and therefore may have difficulty understanding the abbreviations and technical terms you use.

Note: Some researchers refer to this as a ‘glossary’, especially if it is provided as an appendix section. For all intended purposes, this is the same as a list of abbreviations.

Finding a PhD has never been this easy – search for a PhD by keyword, location or academic area of interest.

How to Format a Dissertation Appendix

In regards to format, you can include one lengthy appendix or structure it into several smaller appendices.

Although the choice is yours, it is usually better to opt for several different appendices as it allows you to organise your supplementary information into different categories based on what they are.

The following guidelines should be observed when preparing your dissertation appendices section:

  • Each appendix should start on a new page and be given a unique title and identifying letter, such as “Appendix A – Raw Data”. This allows you to more easily refer to appendix headings in the text of your main body should you need to.
  • Each appendix should have its own page numbering system, comprising the appendix identification letter and the corresponding page number. The appendix identification letter should be reset for each appendix, but the page number should remain continuous. For example, if ‘Appendix A’ has three pages and ‘Appendix B’ two pages, the page numbers should be A-1, A-2, A-3, B-4, B-5.
  • The numbering of tables and figures should be reset at the beginning of each new appendix. For example, if ‘Appendix A’ contains two tables and ‘Appendix B’ one table, the table number within Appendix B should be ‘Table 1’ and not ‘Table 3’.
  • If you have multiple appendices instead of a single longer one, insert a ‘List of Appendices’ in the same way as your contents page.
  • Use the same formatting (font size, font type, spacing, margins, etc.) as the rest of your report.

Example of Appendices

Below is an example of what a thesis or dissertation appendix could look like.

Thesis and Dissertation Appendices Example

Referring to an Appendix In-Text

You must refer to each appendix in the main body of your dissertation at least once to justify its inclusion; otherwise, the question arises as to whether they are really needed.

You can refer to an appendix in one of three ways:

1. Refer to a specific figure or table within a sentence, for example: “As shown in Table 2 of Appendix A, there is little correlation between X and Y”.

2. Refer to a specific figure or table in parentheses, for example: “The results (refer to Table 2 of Appendix A) show that there is little correlation between X and Y”.

3. Refer to an entire appendix, for example: “The output data can be found in Appendix A”.

Appendices vs Appendixes

Both terms are correct, so it is up to you which one you prefer. However, it is worth noting that ‘appendices’ are used more frequently in the science and research community, so we recommend using the former in academic writing if you have no preferences.

Where Does an Appendix Go?

For a dissertation, your appendices should be inserted after your reference list.

Some people like to put their appendices in a standalone document to separate it from the rest of their report, but we only recommend this at the request of your dissertation supervisor, as this isn’t common practice.

Note : Your university may have its own requirements or formatting suggestions for writing your dissertation or thesis appendix. As such, make sure you check with your supervisor or department before you work on your appendices. This will especially be the case for any students working on a thesis.

Significance of the Study

In this post you’ll learn what the significance of the study means, why it’s important, where and how to write one in your paper or thesis with an example.

A Guide to Your First Week as a PhD Student

How should you spend your first week as a PhD student? Here’s are 7 steps to help you get started on your journey.

Finland PhD Hat and Sword

In Finland, all new PhD holders are given a traditional Doctoral Hat and Doctoral Sword during a Conferment Ceremony, symbolising the freedom of research.

Join thousands of other students and stay up to date with the latest PhD programmes, funding opportunities and advice.

dissertation appendix apa

Browse PhDs Now

PhD Research Fieldwork

Fieldwork can be essential for your PhD project. Use these tips to help maximise site productivity and reduce your research time by a few weeks.

Do you need to have published papers to do a PhD?

Do you need to have published papers to do a PhD? The simple answer is no but it could benefit your application if you can.

dissertation appendix apa

Dr Williams gained her PhD in Chemical Engineering at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York in 2020. She is now a Presidential Postdoctoral Fellow at Cornell University, researching simplifying vaccine manufacturing in low-income countries.

dissertation appendix apa

Dr Benzi gained his PhD in Data Science from the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne in 2016. He is now a professional data artist and head of research at a tech company in Paris, as well as a trained public speaker.

Join Thousands of Students

Have a language expert improve your writing

Run a free plagiarism check in 10 minutes, automatically generate references for free.

  • Knowledge Base
  • Dissertation
  • Research Paper Appendix | Example & Templates

Research Paper Appendix | Example & Templates

Published on 15 August 2022 by Kirsten Dingemanse and Tegan George. Revised on 25 October 2022.

An appendix is a supplementary document that facilitates your reader’s understanding of your research but is not essential to your core argument. Appendices are a useful tool for providing additional information or clarification in a research paper , dissertation , or thesis without making your final product too long.

Appendices help you provide more background information and nuance about your topic without disrupting your text with too many tables and figures or other distracting elements.

We’ve prepared some examples and templates for you, for inclusions such as research protocols, survey questions, and interview transcripts. All are worthy additions to an appendix. You can download these in the format of your choice below.

Download Word doc Download Google doc

Instantly correct all language mistakes in your text

Be assured that you'll submit flawless writing. Upload your document to correct all your mistakes.

upload-your-document-ai-proofreader

Table of contents

What is an appendix in a research paper, what to include in an appendix, how to format an appendix, how to refer to an appendix, where to put your appendices, other components to consider, appendix checklist.

In the main body of your research paper, it’s important to provide clear and concise information that supports your argument and conclusions . However, after doing all that research, you’ll often find that you have a lot of other interesting information that you want to share with your reader.

While including it all in the body would make your paper too long and unwieldy, this is exactly what an appendix is for.

As a rule of thumb, any detailed information that is not immediately needed to make your point can go in an appendix. This helps to keep your main text focused but still allows you to include the information you want to include somewhere in your paper.

The only proofreading tool specialized in correcting academic writing

The academic proofreading tool has been trained on 1000s of academic texts and by native English editors. Making it the most accurate and reliable proofreading tool for students.

dissertation appendix apa

Correct my document today

An appendix can be used for different types of information, such as:

  • Supplementary results : Research findings  are often presented in different ways, but they don’t all need to go in your paper. The results most relevant to your research question should always appear in the main text, while less significant results (such as detailed descriptions of your sample or supplemental analyses that do not help answer your main question), can be put in an appendix.
  • Statistical analyses : If you conducted statistical tests using software like Stata or R, you may also want to include the outputs of your analysis in an appendix.
  • Further information on surveys or interviews : Written materials or transcripts related to things such as surveys and interviews can also be placed in an appendix.

You can opt to have one long appendix, but separating components (like interview transcripts, supplementary results, or surveys) into different appendices makes the information simpler to navigate.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

  • Always start each appendix on a new page.
  • Assign it both a number (or letter) and a clear title, such as ‘Appendix A. Interview transcripts’. This makes it easier for your reader to find the appendix, as well as for you to refer back to it in your main text.
  • Number and title the individual elements within each appendix (e.g., ‘Transcripts’) to make it clear what you are referring to. Restart the numbering in each appendix at 1.

It is important that you refer to each of your appendices at least once in the main body of your paper. This can be done by mentioning the appendix and its number or letter, either in parentheses or within the main part of a sentence. It is also possible to refer to a particular component of an appendix.

Appendix B presents the correspondence exchanged with the fitness boutique. Example 2. Referring to an appendix component These results (see Appendix 2, Table 1) show that …

It is common to capitalise ‘Appendix’ when referring to a specific appendix, but it is not mandatory. The key is just to make sure that you are consistent throughout your entire paper, similarly to consistency in capitalising headings and titles in academic writing.

However, note that lowercase should always be used if you are referring to appendices in general. For instance, ‘The appendices to this paper include additional information about both the survey and the interviews.’

The simplest option is to add your appendices after the main body of your text, after you finish citing your sources in the citation style of your choice . If this is what you choose to do, simply continue with the next page number. Another option is to put the appendices in a separate document that is delivered with your dissertation.

Location of appendices

Remember that any appendices should be listed in your paper’s table of contents .

There are a few other supplementary components related to appendices that you may want to consider. These include:

  • List of abbreviations : If you use a lot of abbreviations or field-specific symbols in your dissertation, it can be helpful to create a list of abbreviations .
  • Glossary : If you utilise many specialised or technical terms, it can also be helpful to create a glossary .
  • Tables, figures and other graphics : You may find you have too many tables, figures, and other graphics (such as charts and illustrations) to include in the main body of your dissertation. If this is the case, consider adding a figure and table list .

Checklist: Appendix

All appendices contain information that is relevant, but not essential, to the main text.

Each appendix starts on a new page.

I have given each appendix a number and clear title.

I have assigned any specific sub-components (e.g., tables and figures) their own numbers and titles.

My appendices are easy to follow and clearly formatted.

I have referred to each appendix at least once in the main text.

Your appendices look great! Use the other checklists to further improve your thesis.

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the ‘Cite this Scribbr article’ button to automatically add the citation to our free Reference Generator.

Dingemanse, K. & George, T. (2022, October 25). Research Paper Appendix | Example & Templates. Scribbr. Retrieved 8 July 2024, from https://www.scribbr.co.uk/thesis-dissertation/appendix/

Is this article helpful?

Kirsten Dingemanse

Kirsten Dingemanse

Other students also liked, thesis & dissertation acknowledgements | tips & examples, dissertation title page, how to write a results section | tips & examples.

American Psychological Association

Sample Papers

This page contains sample papers formatted in seventh edition APA Style. The sample papers show the format that authors should use to submit a manuscript for publication in a professional journal and that students should use to submit a paper to an instructor for a course assignment. You can download the Word files to use as templates and edit them as needed for the purposes of your own papers.

Most guidelines in the Publication Manual apply to both professional manuscripts and student papers. However, there are specific guidelines for professional papers versus student papers, including professional and student title page formats. All authors should check with the person or entity to whom they are submitting their paper (e.g., publisher or instructor) for guidelines that are different from or in addition to those specified by APA Style.

Sample papers from the Publication Manual

The following two sample papers were published in annotated form in the Publication Manual and are reproduced here as PDFs for your ease of use. The annotations draw attention to content and formatting and provide the relevant sections of the Publication Manual (7th ed.) to consult for more information.

  • Student sample paper with annotations (PDF, 5MB)
  • Professional sample paper with annotations (PDF, 2.7MB)

We also offer these sample papers in Microsoft Word (.docx) format with the annotations as comments to the text.

  • Student sample paper with annotations as comments (DOCX, 42KB)
  • Professional sample paper with annotations as comments (DOCX, 103KB)

Finally, we offer these sample papers in Microsoft Word (.docx) format without the annotations.

  • Student sample paper without annotations (DOCX, 36KB)
  • Professional sample paper without annotations (DOCX, 96KB)

Sample professional paper templates by paper type

These sample papers demonstrate APA Style formatting standards for different professional paper types. Professional papers can contain many different elements depending on the nature of the work. Authors seeking publication should refer to the journal’s instructions for authors or manuscript submission guidelines for specific requirements and/or sections to include.

  • Literature review professional paper template (DOCX, 47KB)
  • Mixed methods professional paper template (DOCX, 68KB)
  • Qualitative professional paper template (DOCX, 72KB)
  • Quantitative professional paper template (DOCX, 77KB)
  • Review professional paper template (DOCX, 112KB)

Sample papers are covered in the seventh edition APA Style manuals in the Publication Manual Chapter 2 and the Concise Guide Chapter 1

dissertation appendix apa

Related handouts

  • Heading Levels Template: Student Paper (PDF, 257KB)
  • Heading Levels Template: Professional Paper (PDF, 213KB)

Other instructional aids

  • Journal Article Reporting Standards (JARS)
  • APA Style Tutorials and Webinars
  • Handouts and Guides
  • Paper Format

View all instructional aids

Sample student paper templates by paper type

These sample papers demonstrate APA Style formatting standards for different student paper types. Students may write the same types of papers as professional authors (e.g., quantitative studies, literature reviews) or other types of papers for course assignments (e.g., reaction or response papers, discussion posts), dissertations, and theses.

APA does not set formal requirements for the nature or contents of an APA Style student paper. Students should follow the guidelines and requirements of their instructor, department, and/or institution when writing papers. For instance, an abstract and keywords are not required for APA Style student papers, although an instructor may request them in student papers that are longer or more complex. Specific questions about a paper being written for a course assignment should be directed to the instructor or institution assigning the paper.

  • Discussion post student paper template (DOCX, 31KB)
  • Literature review student paper template (DOCX, 37KB)
  • Quantitative study student paper template (DOCX, 53KB)

Sample papers in real life

Although published articles differ in format from manuscripts submitted for publication or student papers (e.g., different line spacing, font, margins, and column format), articles published in APA journals provide excellent demonstrations of APA Style in action.

APA journals began publishing papers in seventh edition APA Style in 2020. Professional authors should check the author submission guidelines for the journal to which they want to submit their paper for any journal-specific style requirements.

Credits for sample professional paper templates

Quantitative professional paper template: Adapted from “Fake News, Fast and Slow: Deliberation Reduces Belief in False (but Not True) News Headlines,” by B. Bago, D. G. Rand, and G. Pennycook, 2020, Journal of Experimental Psychology: General , 149 (8), pp. 1608–1613 ( https://doi.org/10.1037/xge0000729 ). Copyright 2020 by the American Psychological Association.

Qualitative professional paper template: Adapted from “‘My Smartphone Is an Extension of Myself’: A Holistic Qualitative Exploration of the Impact of Using a Smartphone,” by L. J. Harkin and D. Kuss, 2020, Psychology of Popular Media , 10 (1), pp. 28–38 ( https://doi.org/10.1037/ppm0000278 ). Copyright 2020 by the American Psychological Association.

Mixed methods professional paper template: Adapted from “‘I Am a Change Agent’: A Mixed Methods Analysis of Students’ Social Justice Value Orientation in an Undergraduate Community Psychology Course,” by D. X. Henderson, A. T. Majors, and M. Wright, 2019,  Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in Psychology , 7 (1), 68–80. ( https://doi.org/10.1037/stl0000171 ). Copyright 2019 by the American Psychological Association.

Literature review professional paper template: Adapted from “Rethinking Emotions in the Context of Infants’ Prosocial Behavior: The Role of Interest and Positive Emotions,” by S. I. Hammond and J. K. Drummond, 2019, Developmental Psychology , 55 (9), pp. 1882–1888 ( https://doi.org/10.1037/dev0000685 ). Copyright 2019 by the American Psychological Association.

Review professional paper template: Adapted from “Joining the Conversation: Teaching Students to Think and Communicate Like Scholars,” by E. L. Parks, 2022, Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in Psychology , 8 (1), pp. 70–78 ( https://doi.org/10.1037/stl0000193 ). Copyright 2020 by the American Psychological Association.

Credits for sample student paper templates

These papers came from real students who gave their permission to have them edited and posted by APA.

dissertation appendix apa

The Plagiarism Checker Online For Your Academic Work

Start Plagiarism Check

Editing & Proofreading for Your Research Paper

Get it proofread now

Online Printing & Binding with Free Express Delivery

Configure binding now

  • Academic essay overview
  • The writing process
  • Structuring academic essays
  • Types of academic essays
  • Academic writing overview
  • Sentence structure
  • Academic writing process
  • Improving your academic writing
  • Titles and headings
  • APA style overview
  • APA citation & referencing
  • APA structure & sections
  • Citation & referencing
  • Structure and sections
  • APA examples overview
  • Commonly used citations
  • Other examples
  • British English vs. American English
  • Chicago style overview
  • Chicago citation & referencing
  • Chicago structure & sections
  • Chicago style examples
  • Citing sources overview
  • Citation format
  • Citation examples
  • College essay overview
  • Application
  • How to write a college essay
  • Types of college essays
  • Commonly confused words
  • Definitions
  • Dissertation overview
  • Dissertation structure & sections
  • Dissertation writing process
  • Graduate school overview
  • Application & admission
  • Study abroad
  • Master degree
  • Harvard referencing overview
  • Language rules overview
  • Grammatical rules & structures
  • Parts of speech
  • Punctuation
  • Methodology overview
  • Analyzing data
  • Experiments
  • Observations
  • Inductive vs. Deductive
  • Qualitative vs. Quantitative
  • Types of validity
  • Types of reliability
  • Sampling methods
  • Theories & Concepts
  • Types of research studies
  • Types of variables
  • MLA style overview
  • MLA examples
  • MLA citation & referencing
  • MLA structure & sections
  • Plagiarism overview
  • Plagiarism checker
  • Types of plagiarism
  • Printing production overview
  • Research bias overview
  • Types of research bias
  • Example sections
  • Types of research papers
  • Research process overview
  • Problem statement
  • Research proposal
  • Research topic
  • Statistics overview
  • Levels of measurment
  • Frequency distribution
  • Measures of central tendency
  • Measures of variability
  • Hypothesis testing
  • Parameters & test statistics
  • Types of distributions
  • Correlation
  • Effect size
  • Hypothesis testing assumptions
  • Types of ANOVAs
  • Types of chi-square
  • Statistical data
  • Statistical models
  • Spelling mistakes
  • Tips overview
  • Academic writing tips
  • Dissertation tips
  • Sources tips
  • Working with sources overview
  • Evaluating sources
  • Finding sources
  • Including sources
  • Types of sources

Your Step to Success

Plagiarism Check within 10min

Printing & Binding with 3D Live Preview

Dissertation Appendix – Components, Format & Examples

How do you like this article cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Dissertation-Appendix-Definition

An appendix is an integral part of every dissertation paper, serving as supplementary material that enhances and supports the research study. However, only a few people understand what the section is, where it must be placed, and why it must be included in a dissertation . Therefore, while not typically central to the dissertation’s argument, the appendix adds valuable context and transparency to the academic work. This post will cover everything there is to know about a dissertation appendix, from its definition and purpose to the components and format.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

  • 1 Dissertation Appendix – In a Nutshell
  • 2 Definition: Dissertation appendix
  • 3 Purpose of a dissertation appendix
  • 4 Dissertation appendix: Components
  • 5 Dissertation appendix: Format
  • 6 Referring to a dissertation appendix
  • 7 Dissertation Appendix: Checklist

Dissertation Appendix – In a Nutshell

  • An appendix is not part of the main body of the dissertation, but is still relevant to it.
  • A dissertation appendix encapsulates all explanations that cannot be included in the main body of the dissertation.
  • Appendices must be well-structured, and their components systemically organized to serve their purpose correctly.

Definition: Dissertation appendix

A dissertation appendix (plural –appendices) is an index at the end of a dissertation that provides additional information related to the dissertation paper. The section helps academic writers present background information related to the dissertation, but doesn’t directly answer the research question. These can include tables, illustrations and other graphics.

Purpose of a dissertation appendix

The primary purpose of a dissertation appendix is to help keep your dissertation paper organized and within the required word limit. It contains any additional information that isn’t directly relevant to the research topic.

Typically, texts that strengthen your arguments appear in your dissertation paper’s main body. However, there is additional information that isn’t directly beneficial to your research but might be helpful to your readers. That is where a dissertation appendix comes in.

Although they provide additional information, your audience should be able to understand the contents of your dissertation paper even without looking at the dissertation appendix. So, ensure you include all important texts in the main body.

Dissertation appendix: Components

A dissertation appendix can include different types of information, such as:

Dissertation-Appendix-Components

Research results can be presented in various ways, including tables and figures. However, not all of these findings need to appear in the main body of your dissertation. Only results that are essential in answering the research topic should be included in the paper. Additional results (less significant findings), such as raw data and supplemental analyses, should go into the dissertation appendix.

Further information

Besides supplementary results, additional information related to surveys and interviews can be included in a dissertation appendix. These can include types of interviews, interview transcripts, survey questions, and details of questionnaires. Although these details are not critical to answering your research question, including them in the dissertation appendix gives credibility to your research.

Dissertation-Appendix-Components-copies-and-graphics

Copies of relevant forms 

It is essential to include a list of abbreviations and acronyms and a glossary in the appendix if your dissertation paper contains many words that your audience might not recognize. This helps enhance readability and minimize confusion for readers. Your list of abbreviations and acronyms, and glossary should appear after the table of contents section.

Figures, tables, graphics

You can also include tables, figures, illustrations, and other graphics in the dissertation appendix if your research contains a lot of them. The appendix is the appropriate platform to include less important ones. Use tables and figures that support your research question but cannot be included in the main body.

Dissertation appendix: Format

There is no restriction to how you can format your dissertation appendix. You can opt to have one long appendix if you don’t feel the need to break it into smaller sections with different components. However, it might be a good idea to separate the components (such as interview transcripts and supplementary results) into various appendices to enhance readability.

If you choose to have multiple appendices in your dissertation, always start each appendix on a new page. Additionally, ensure you assign each page a number or letter. For instance, you can use ‘Appendix 2 – Interview Transcripts.’ Giving a unique identifier (number and title of each element) to each appendix makes it easier for the reader to navigate through the information and for you to refer to it in the main dissertation body.

When numbering tables and figures in multiple appendices, you should reset the numbering as you move to the next appendix (next page). For instance, if your ‘Appendix 1 –Raw Data’ has two tables and ‘Appendix 2 – Interview Transcripts’ has one table, the table in ‘Appendix 2’ should be ‘Table 1’ and not ‘Table 3’ .

Referring to a dissertation appendix

It is crucial to refer to each dissertation appendix at least once when crafting the dissertation’s main body. That helps justify the inclusion of appendices in your study.

There are two primary ways you can refer to a dissertation appendix in the main body:

  • Refer to an entire appendix

“The interview transcripts can be found in Appendix 1 –Interview Transcripts”.

  • Refer to an appendix component

There are two ways you can refer to an appendix component:

  • Refer to specific figures or tables in brackets (parenthetical reference). For example, “The results (refer to Table 1 Appendix 3) indicate a slight decline in the number of new infections”.
  • Include the reference in a sentence within the main body (descriptive reference). For example, “As shown in Table 1 of Appendix 3, there is a slight decline in the number of new infections” .

If your paper has one long dissertation appendix, it is good practice to refer to its components in uppercase, but it is not mandatory. However, it is important to maintain consistency throughout your entire paper, the same way you capitalize your headings and titles in academic work.

Although you are free to choose what case to use, you should always use lower-case when referring to appendices in general.

“The appendices at the end of this paper contain additional information about the area of research.”

Dissertation Appendix: Checklist

  • Each dissertation appendix starts on a fresh page
  • My appendices contain relevant information, but they are not essential in answering my research question
  • I have referred to each of my appendices at least once in the main body
  • The content of my appendices (tables and figures) are clearly labelled
  • My appendices are easy to understand and refer to

What is a dissertation appendix?

A dissertation appendix is a section of your dissertation that you use to provide additional data related to your main study but is not essential to answering the primary research question.

What should I include in my appendix?

Your appendix should contain additional information relevant to the dissertation but not directly important to answering your main questions. These can include supplementary results, tables, interview questions and transcripts.

Do I need an appendix in my dissertation?

If you have a lot of additional information, it is important to have an appendix in your dissertation. Appendices help provide readers with details that support your research without breaking the flow of the main body.

Can my dissertation paper have multiple appendices?

Yes. Your dissertation paper can have more than one appendix. Ensure you properly label each appendix (Appendix A or Appendix 1) if your paper has multiple appendices.

Is it appendices or appendixes?

Appendices and appendixes are both correct plurals for the term appendix. However, many scholars prefer using ‘appendices’ over ‘appendixes.’

Excellent product. Quick delivery. Easy to order and you can see the finished...

We use cookies on our website. Some of them are essential, while others help us to improve this website and your experience.

  • External Media

Individual Privacy Preferences

Cookie Details Privacy Policy Imprint

Here you will find an overview of all cookies used. You can give your consent to whole categories or display further information and select certain cookies.

Accept all Save

Essential cookies enable basic functions and are necessary for the proper function of the website.

Show Cookie Information Hide Cookie Information

Name
Anbieter Eigentümer dieser Website,
Zweck Speichert die Einstellungen der Besucher, die in der Cookie Box von Borlabs Cookie ausgewählt wurden.
Cookie Name borlabs-cookie
Cookie Laufzeit 1 Jahr
Name
Anbieter Bachelorprint
Zweck Erkennt das Herkunftsland und leitet zur entsprechenden Sprachversion um.
Datenschutzerklärung
Host(s) ip-api.com
Cookie Name georedirect
Cookie Laufzeit 1 Jahr
Name
Anbieter Playcanvas
Zweck Display our 3D product animations
Datenschutzerklärung
Host(s) playcanv.as, playcanvas.as, playcanvas.com
Cookie Laufzeit 1 Jahr

Statistics cookies collect information anonymously. This information helps us to understand how our visitors use our website.

Akzeptieren
Name
Anbieter Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland
Zweck Cookie von Google zur Steuerung der erweiterten Script- und Ereignisbehandlung.
Datenschutzerklärung
Cookie Name _ga,_gat,_gid
Cookie Laufzeit 2 Jahre

Content from video platforms and social media platforms is blocked by default. If External Media cookies are accepted, access to those contents no longer requires manual consent.

Akzeptieren
Name
Anbieter Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, 4 Grand Canal Square, Dublin 2, Ireland
Zweck Wird verwendet, um Facebook-Inhalte zu entsperren.
Datenschutzerklärung
Host(s) .facebook.com
Akzeptieren
Name
Anbieter Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland
Zweck Wird zum Entsperren von Google Maps-Inhalten verwendet.
Datenschutzerklärung
Host(s) .google.com
Cookie Name NID
Cookie Laufzeit 6 Monate
Akzeptieren
Name
Anbieter Meta Platforms Ireland Limited, 4 Grand Canal Square, Dublin 2, Ireland
Zweck Wird verwendet, um Instagram-Inhalte zu entsperren.
Datenschutzerklärung
Host(s) .instagram.com
Cookie Name pigeon_state
Cookie Laufzeit Sitzung
Akzeptieren
Name
Anbieter Openstreetmap Foundation, St John’s Innovation Centre, Cowley Road, Cambridge CB4 0WS, United Kingdom
Zweck Wird verwendet, um OpenStreetMap-Inhalte zu entsperren.
Datenschutzerklärung
Host(s) .openstreetmap.org
Cookie Name _osm_location, _osm_session, _osm_totp_token, _osm_welcome, _pk_id., _pk_ref., _pk_ses., qos_token
Cookie Laufzeit 1-10 Jahre
Akzeptieren
Name
Anbieter Twitter International Company, One Cumberland Place, Fenian Street, Dublin 2, D02 AX07, Ireland
Zweck Wird verwendet, um Twitter-Inhalte zu entsperren.
Datenschutzerklärung
Host(s) .twimg.com, .twitter.com
Cookie Name __widgetsettings, local_storage_support_test
Cookie Laufzeit Unbegrenzt
Akzeptieren
Name
Anbieter Vimeo Inc., 555 West 18th Street, New York, New York 10011, USA
Zweck Wird verwendet, um Vimeo-Inhalte zu entsperren.
Datenschutzerklärung
Host(s) player.vimeo.com
Cookie Name vuid
Cookie Laufzeit 2 Jahre
Akzeptieren
Name
Anbieter Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland
Zweck Wird verwendet, um YouTube-Inhalte zu entsperren.
Datenschutzerklärung
Host(s) google.com
Cookie Name NID
Cookie Laufzeit 6 Monate

Privacy Policy Imprint

  • Dissertation & Thesis Editing
  • Books and Journal Articles
  • Coaching and Consultation
  • Research Assistance
  • Quantitative
  • Qualitative
  • Coaching & Consultation
  • Document Review Service
  • Pricing & Payments
  • Make Payment
  • Editing and Statistics Packages
  • Self-Publication Services Pricing
  • Meet The Team
  • Client Testimonials

APA Style: Tables, Figures, & Appendices

dissertation appendix apa

28th April 2014

APA Style: Tables, Figures, & Appendices

It is very likely that you'll be using tables, figures, or appendices in your dissertation. While each of these elements is optional, they can help to improve the readers’ understanding of your dissertation’s content. The following tips and pointers on tables, figures, and appendices will help you determine when each should be used, as well as how and where they should appear per APA style.

Tables are especially helpful when presenting a great deal of numerical data at once. A well-organized table can effectively deliver vast amounts of information in an easy-to-read manner. Per APA guidelines , all tables included in your dissertation should be necessary—if you can deliver the information clearly in the body of your text, avoid using a table. Each table should also include at least two columns (vertical axis) or rows (horizontal axis) per APA style (i.e. if your data can be presented in a single row or column, it should be delivered in paragraph form instead of a table). Tables are a supplement to your content, which means that all tables must be referenced within the narrative of your paper. Explain how each table relates to your content and be sure to highlight what the reader will learn from looking at the table. Additionally, a reader should be able to make sense of your table without having read your text, so be sure to define all abbreviations and symbols in a note beneath the data. Your tables should be numbered sequentially and each one should appear as near to where it is mentioned in the text as possible. Additionally, do not let your table span more than one page, if possible. Formatting your table:

  • The table may be single- or double-spaced, but consistency across all tables is key.
  • Each table must have a brief title explaining its contents below the table number, italicized and in title case.
  • Every column must have a brief heading.
  • Vertical lines are not permitted per APA formatting style. Only horizontal lines may be used to improve readability.
  • All numerical data must be presented consistently (use the same number of decimal places and unit of measurement for each column).
  • Write the word “Note:” below the table to provide abbreviation meanings and probability level values.

  Example of a properly formatted table:  

APA syle, APA formatting, APA style table

Figure 1. Screenshot of a table formatted per APA style . Reprinted from “The Grammar of Mathematics: Percentage or %?,” by T. McAdoo, 2011, APA Style Blog. Retrieved from http://blog.apastyle.org/apastyle/2011/11/the-grammar-of-mathematics-percentage.html

                       

Per APA style, figures are all types of visual elements other than tables. This includes photographs, graphs, and charts. Similar to tables, figures must be necessary and supplement your content. Figures should also be numbered sequentially. When creating a figure, simplicity is key. Keeping your figure legible and clear for the reader is more important than eye-catching graphics. Your figure, whether it be a bar graph, scatter plot, or other visual graphic, should be easy to understand and read. APA provides specifications for width and font size to ensure readability. One‑column figures must be between 2 and 3.25 inches. Figures with two or more columns must be between 4.25 and 6.875 inches. Your figures should fit within your paper’s margins. Any fonts used within your figure should be between eight and fourteen point. Resist the temptation to include a title within the figure itself. Instead, use a caption below to provide the name of the figure, as well as any pertinent information. Your caption should include the figure number in italics, followed by a brief but explanatory title, and be double-spaced with normal margins. For example: Figure 2. Sample population by age and gender. Figures must also be mentioned within the narrative of your text.

Appendices are ideal for including detailed or additional information that supplements your paper but would be distracting if placed within the text. For example, your appendices might include your instrument of measurement, an informed consent letter, or interview questions.  Basically, anything too large or unwieldy to be placed in your text can be presented in the appendices. Each appendix should stand on its own, with each one appearing on a new page at the very end of your dissertation. If you have only one appendix, place the word “Appendix” at the top, centered ( not bolded, underlined, italicized, or in quotes). If you have multiple appendices, order them alphabetically; the first should be titled “Appendix A,” the second Appendix B, and so on. Additionally, each appendix must have a title. The title appears below “Appendix” in title case. For example:

APA Style Resources

Obviously, the complete Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 6 th Edition is the authoritative resource on the topic. The APA style website is also an excellent resource for specific situations regarding tables, figures, and appendices.

Need Help Formatting Tables, Figures, and Appendices per APA Style?

If you’d rather not review an exhaustive style manual, or if you find that you lack the skills to efficiently develop or format tables, figures, and appendices per APA style, we are here to help! We have PhD-level APA style experts on staff who can develop or format all visual aspects of your dissertation or thesis. Please feel free to call or e-mail us at any time for a free price quote! Phone: 857-200-2241 Email: [email protected]

American Psychological Association. (2009). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. McAdoo, T. (2011, November 17). The grammar of mathematics: Percentage or %? Retrieved from http://blog.apastyle.org/apastyle/2011/11/the-grammar-of-mathematics-percentage.html Paiz, J. M., Angeli, E., Wagner, J. Lawrick, E. Moore, K. Anderson, M. ... & Keck, R. (2012, October 9). APA tables and figures 2. Retrieved from http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/20/ Paiz, J. M., Angeli, E., Wagner, J. Lawrick, E. Moore, K. Anderson, M. ... & Keck, R. (2013, May 7). APA tables and figures 1. Retrieved from https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/19/  

Tagged under: APA 6th Edition   APA Style   APA Style Help   APA format   APA formatting   APA tables   dissertation editing services   dissertation formatting services   thesis editing services  

Dissertation Editor provides invaluable services for those writing advanced-degree papers. The level of knowledge the editors have regarding APA formatting and suggestions on how to improve your writing is second to none. I appreciate the professional client care and prompt turnover time. I will continue to use and refer others to Dissertation Editor.

Read More Client Testimonials

Dissertation Editor

+1 857-600-2241 info@dissertation-editor.com 1 Mifflin Place, Suite 400, Cambridge, MA 02138

© 2024 PhD Advantage, LLC , all rights reserved.

Academic Integrity Policy   Policies, Terms & Conditions   Referral Rewards   Privacy Policy   Site map

dissertation appendix apa

Have a language expert improve your writing

Run a free plagiarism check in 10 minutes, generate accurate citations for free.

  • Knowledge Base
  • Dissertation
  • Figure and Table Lists | Word Instructions, Template & Examples

Figure and Table Lists | Word Instructions, Template & Examples

Published on October 13, 2015 by Sarah Vinz . Revised on July 18, 2023 by Tegan George.

A list of figures and tables compiles all of the figures and tables that you used in your thesis or dissertation , along with their corresponding page numbers. These lists give your reader an overview of how you have used figures and tables in your document.

While these lists are often not required, you may want to include one as a way to stay organized if your dissertation topic leads you to use several figures and tables over the course of your paper. Your educational institution may require one, so be sure to check their guidelines. Ultimately, if you do choose to add one, it should go directly after your table of contents .

You can download our Microsoft Word template below to help you get started.

Download Word doc

  • Table of contents

How to create a list of figures and tables in Word

Example of a list of tables and figures, additional lists to consider, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about the list of tables and figures.

The first step to creating your list of figures and tables is to ensure that each of your figures and tables has a caption . This way, Microsoft Word will be able to find each one and compile them in your list automatically.

To do this, follow these steps:

  • Navigate to the References tab, and click “Insert Caption,” which you can find in the Captions group.
  • Give your caption a name. In the Label list, you can select the label that best describes your figure or table, or make your own by selecting “New Label.”

Add captions to list of tables and figures

Next, you can insert the list of tables and figures directly by clicking “Insert Table of Figures,” which can be found to the right of the “Insert Caption” button. Be careful here—the list will only include items that you have marked using the “Insert Caption” tool!

You can choose the formatting and layout within this menu as well, as you can see below.

Add list of tables and figures

There are a few things to remember as you go:

  • Figures and tables always need to be numbered, with clear titles.

list of tables and figures example

In addition to your list of tables and figures, there are a few other lists to consider for your thesis or dissertation. They can be placed in the following order:

  • List of abbreviations

If you want to know more about AI for academic writing, AI tools, or research bias, make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

Research bias

  • Anchoring bias
  • Halo effect
  • The Baader–Meinhof phenomenon
  • The placebo effect
  • Nonresponse bias
  • Deep learning
  • Generative AI
  • Machine learning
  • Reinforcement learning
  • Supervised vs. unsupervised learning

 (AI) Tools

  • Grammar Checker
  • Paraphrasing Tool
  • Text Summarizer
  • AI Detector
  • Plagiarism Checker
  • Citation Generator

Your list of tables and figures should go directly after your table of contents in your thesis or dissertation.

Lists of figures and tables are often not required, and aren’t particularly common. They specifically aren’t required for APA-Style, though you should be careful to follow their other guidelines for figures and tables .

If you have many figures and tables in your thesis or dissertation, include one may help you stay organized. Your educational institution may require them, so be sure to check their guidelines.

Copyright information can usually be found wherever the table or figure was published. For example, for a diagram in a journal article , look on the journal’s website or the database where you found the article. Images found on sites like Flickr are listed with clear copyright information.

If you find that permission is required to reproduce the material, be sure to contact the author or publisher and ask for it.

A list of figures and tables compiles all of the figures and tables that you used in your thesis or dissertation and displays them with the page number where they can be found.

APA doesn’t require you to include a list of tables or a list of figures . However, it is advisable to do so if your text is long enough to feature a table of contents and it includes a lot of tables and/or figures .

A list of tables and list of figures appear (in that order) after your table of contents, and are presented in a similar way.

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

Vinz, S. (2023, July 18). Figure and Table Lists | Word Instructions, Template & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved July 8, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/dissertation/figure-and-table-lists-in-your-dissertation/

Is this article helpful?

Sarah Vinz

Sarah's academic background includes a Master of Arts in English, a Master of International Affairs degree, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. She loves the challenge of finding the perfect formulation or wording and derives much satisfaction from helping students take their academic writing up a notch.

"I thought AI Proofreading was useless but.."

I've been using Scribbr for years now and I know it's a service that won't disappoint. It does a good job spotting mistakes”

Illustration

  • Dissertation & Thesis Guides
  • Basics of Dissertation & Thesis Writing
  • Appendix Dissertation: What to Write & How to Use
  • Speech Topics
  • Basics of Essay Writing
  • Essay Topics
  • Other Essays
  • Main Academic Essays
  • Research Paper Topics
  • Basics of Research Paper Writing
  • Miscellaneous
  • Chicago/ Turabian
  • Data & Statistics
  • Methodology
  • Admission Writing Tips
  • Admission Advice
  • Other Guides
  • Student Life
  • Studying Tips
  • Understanding Plagiarism
  • Academic Writing Tips

Illustration

  • Essay Guides
  • Research Paper Guides
  • Formatting Guides
  • Basics of Research Process
  • Admission Guides

Appendix Dissertation: What to Write & How to Use

Dissertation appendix

Table of contents

Illustration

Use our free Readability checker

A dissertation appendix is an optional section that offers additional details. This can include survey results, raw data, statistics, calculations, photographs and other visual sources.

Appendix of a dissertation is one of the essential research components. It is an application that shows work you have conducted. Like other elements of scientific work, appendices should be drawn up accordingly. This article includes detailed information on how to do an appendicx for a dissertation.

What if you need someone more qualified to ' do my dissertation ?' Don't hesitate and check our solutions straight away!

What Is a Dissertation Appendix?

Appendix in dissertation is a section where non-standard format data is included. It is designed to improve quality of work, make it more evident and trustworthy. This section shows your readers the level of your competence and topic's depth. This part contains elements related to your research like tables, images, maps, documents, etc. Here should be any additional material which will not be added into general text. Just make sure you put data, which is not meant to be placed into the body of work. It includes vast material, for example, statistical data for calculation. Usually, the last pages are where you put this part of a dissertation. Appendixes' volume is not taken into account in total work size. If your research requires 70 pages, then your main text without attachments should be 70 pages. There are no volume requirements for the appendix itself. It can consist of 1 or 100 pages.  

What Is the Purpose of Appendix in Dissertation?

Appendix in a dissertation includes all large materials that are not placed into worktext. This place is for informational or reference purposes only. Imagine there is disagreement about research conclusions. Then, detailed useful data from appendices will help you clarify the situation. For example, members of the defense commission had questions about certain conclusions. In turn, you can demonstrate application form and methodology for analyzing answers. It makes no sense to include these documents in work text due to their large volume. But this part is a super helpful place to prove the process's correctness.  

Appendices or Appendixes

Wondering how to write correctly: appendices or appendixes ? You may think that both are correct. But which is more widespread? We'll explain it quickly! These are views of American English over past few decades: "Appendixes" was previously a completely incorrect plural form of "Appendix." This word was considered as a supplementary body part. Instead, the plural form was "Appendices." But it seems, many people made a mistake and preferred the wrong variant. So, with English being constantly evolving, it began to spread out quickly. This variant started to appear in academic and public materials. Both words are now considered correct according to modern dictionaries. "Appendixes" are becoming increasingly popular. We recommend you to look at other similar publications of your field. Check which word they are using.  

What to Include in Dissertation Appendix?

Most often, your appendix for dissertation should include:

  • Research Results Research results can be presented in tables and figures at the end or in the main text. So let's discover what information to submit in what form. Display main results that are relevant to your research question into the main text. Less significant results that do not help answer your main question can be placed in the appendix. This includes a detailed description of your sample or additional tests you have performed. For example, if you used software for statistics, including the results of your analysis.
  • Questionnaires and Interviews In this section, you can add written materials relevant to survey and interview. Include these points in your dissertation so that readers can see what you have drawn your conclusions from. But they are usually not in the main body of text.
  • Tables and Figures Any material that is less important to the main text can be included in the appendix. This includes tables, figures, and other graphic elements (such as charts and illustrations).
  • Personal/Used Correspondence This should include correspondence between you and other researchers. Maybe you have applied for permission to reuse copyrighted material. This will help protect your dissertation from suspicion of plagiarism.
  • Abbreviations It would be wise if you added a list of abbreviations to the appendix. Not all of your readers can understand the abbreviated technical terms you use. Note: Some researchers call this a "glossary."

Dissertation Appendix: Format

Now it's time to discuss how to do a dissertation appendix ! Here are some format and style rules you should keep in mind while writing your work:

  • Heading "Appendix" should be centered on the first page of the section.
  • Each reference should have its own number. It is located at the top of the page (for example, Appendix 1).
  • Type and font size should be the same as in main work.
  • Each attachment should be placed on a separate sheet even if it does not occupy the entire page.
  • A "page break" should be inserted at the end of the page. So that materials do not move when a file is opened in another version of Microsoft Word.

At different universities, format requirements may differ. So we recommend you consult with your starting supervisor.

How to Refer to Appendix in Dissertation In-Text

Now let's discuss how to use an appendix in a dissertation in-text. All attachments should be arranged in the same order in which they are mentioned in text. In text, mark results with links. For example: "See Appendix №." We also recommend you make a list of attachments as you write your work. For example, you mentioned in a text a survey conducted. Immediately add a questionnaire and essential processing method in the appendix. When work is finished, you can easily collect all materials for application. Consider dissertation help services if you lack time to start the work.

Dissertation Appendix: Example

Here you can see some dissertation appendix samples. Don't hesitate and double-check this part. It is important for you to make your experience of writing a dissertation understandable for every reader. 

Illustration

Appendix in Dissertation: Bottom Line

Appendix of a dissertation is not less important than any other part of writing a thesis paper . This section consists of materials that do not fit into the main body. These can be images, tables, questionnaires, diagrams, calculations, drawings. It shows your severe approach and ability for working with information and increases the value of all work. Check our recommendations provided above if you wanna cope quickly with this section. We provided all the necessary background for you to succeed. Also, we recommended reading about  how to write a dissertation abstract ,  dissertation acknowledgments , or  dissertation proposals .  

Illustration

If difficulties arise, you can always turn to our writing services online for expert help. They will deliver your dissertation quickly and efficiently!  

Joe_Eckel_1_ab59a03630.jpg

Joe Eckel is an expert on Dissertations writing. He makes sure that each student gets precious insights on composing A-grade academic writing.

Illustration

You may also like

thumbnail@2x.png

Purdue Online Writing Lab Purdue OWL® College of Liberal Arts

APA Sample Paper

OWL logo

Welcome to the Purdue OWL

This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice.

Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.

Note:  This page reflects the latest version of the APA Publication Manual (i.e., APA 7), which released in October 2019. The equivalent resource for the older APA 6 style  can be found here .

Media Files: APA Sample Student Paper  ,  APA Sample Professional Paper

This resource is enhanced by Acrobat PDF files. Download the free Acrobat Reader

Note: The APA Publication Manual, 7 th Edition specifies different formatting conventions for student  and  professional  papers (i.e., papers written for credit in a course and papers intended for scholarly publication). These differences mostly extend to the title page and running head. Crucially, citation practices do not differ between the two styles of paper.

However, for your convenience, we have provided two versions of our APA 7 sample paper below: one in  student style and one in  professional  style.

Note: For accessibility purposes, we have used "Track Changes" to make comments along the margins of these samples. Those authored by [AF] denote explanations of formatting and [AWC] denote directions for writing and citing in APA 7. 

APA 7 Student Paper:

Apa 7 professional paper:.

IMAGES

  1. How to Make an Appendix in APA Style

    dissertation appendix apa

  2. How to Make an Appendix in APA Style

    dissertation appendix apa

  3. How to Create an APA Style Appendix

    dissertation appendix apa

  4. ᐉ What is an Appendix? ☑️ How to Write an Appendix

    dissertation appendix apa

  5. How to Format Appendix in Thesis in APA 7

    dissertation appendix apa

  6. 8+ APA Format Examples

    dissertation appendix apa

VIDEO

  1. Dissertation Interview_Appendix 2

  2. Dissertation Formatting and APA Style presented by Dr. Scott Zimmer

  3. LESSON 78

  4. Formatting the Reference Section and the Appendices

  5. Upgrad, Liverpool Business School, Final Report Submission, LBS MBA Dissertation final report

  6. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻? #thesis #reference #dissertation #education #academia

COMMENTS

  1. How to Create an APA Style Appendix

    Appendix format example. The appendix label appears at the top of the page, bold and centered. On the next line, include a descriptive title, also bold and centered. The text is presented in general APA format: left-aligned, double-spaced, and with page numbers in the top right corner. Start a new page for each new appendix.

  2. Footnotes & Appendices

    Text Appendices. Appendices should be formatted in traditional paragraph style and may incorporate text, figures, tables, equations, or footnotes. In an appendix, all figures, tables, and other visuals should be labelled with the letter of the corresponding appendix followed by a number indicating the order in which each appears.

  3. PDF APA Style Dissertation Guidelines: Formatting Your Dissertation

    tutorials under the "Resources for Writing Your Dissertation" tab. APA Style, 7 th Edition: A Brief Overview This section provides a very brief overview of APA Style formatting. For more thorough information about APA Style, 7 th edition, please refer to Appendix A (on page 11) of this guide for additional APA resources. Headings

  4. Research Paper Appendix

    Research Paper Appendix | Example & Templates. Published on August 4, 2022 by Tegan George and Kirsten Dingemanse. Revised on July 18, 2023. An appendix is a supplementary document that facilitates your reader's understanding of your research but is not essential to your core argument. Appendices are a useful tool for providing additional information or clarification in a research paper ...

  5. APA Formatting and Style Guide (7th Edition)

    APA Stylistics: Basics. APA Stylistics: Avoiding Bias. Footnotes & Appendices. Numbers & Statistics. Additional Resources. APA Headings and Seriation. APA PowerPoint Slide Presentation. APA Sample Paper. Tables and Figures.

  6. APA Appendix: How to Write an Appendix in APA Format

    Put the appendix label centered at the top of the page. On the next line under the appendix label, place the centered title of the appendix. If you refer to a source in your appendix, include an in-text citation just as you would in the main body of your paper and then include the source in your main reference section.

  7. How to Cite a Dissertation in APA Style

    To cite an unpublished dissertation (one you got directly from the author or university in print form), add "Unpublished" to the bracketed description, and list the university at the end of the reference, outside the square brackets. APA format. Author last name, Initials. ( Year ).

  8. Academic Guides: More APA Style Guidelines: Appendices

    Appendices are labeled following the ordering of appendices in the text (APA 7, Section 2.14). Appendix A should be the first appendix referred to the text and the first appendix in the appendices. Tables and figures are placed in separate appendices. The appendix title serves as the title for a table if it is the only table in the appendix.

  9. PDF Manual for the Formatting of Graduate Dissertations and Theses

    Graduate Dissertations and Theses Sample Pages for Students Following the APA Style Guide Sample Pages: ... APA Format [Sample: Title Page] A Dissertation ... Appendices A. The Heading to Appendix A 64 B. The Heading to Appendix B 71 Index 82 vi (Sample Page 6)

  10. Formatting: Appendices

    An appendix consists of supplemental material that would be distracting or inappropriate in the text of the paper. Only include an appendix if it helps the reader understand, evaluate, or replicate the study or argument. Some examples of items typically included in appendices are: Text, tables, figures or a combination of these.

  11. Thesis and Dissertation Appendices (What to Include)

    An appendix is a section at the end of a dissertation that contains supplementary information. An appendix may contain figures, tables, raw data, and other additional information that supports the arguments of your dissertation but do not belong in the main body. It can be either a long appendix or split into several smaller appendices.

  12. Research Paper Appendix

    It is important that you refer to each of your appendices at least once in the main body of your paper. This can be done by mentioning the appendix and its number or letter, either in parentheses or within the main part of a sentence. It is also possible to refer to a particular component of an appendix. Example 1. Referring to an entire appendix.

  13. PDF Student Paper Setup Guide, APA Style 7th Edition

    Indent the first line of every paragraph of text 0.5 in. using the tab key or the paragraph-formatting function of your word-processing program. Page numbers: Put a page number in the top right corner of every page, including the title page or cover page, which is page 1. Student papers do not require a running head on any page.

  14. PDF APA Dissertation Guidelines

    Heading levels 3, 4, and 5 are now different in APA 7th edition. The words "Running head" are no longer needed in the running head. In-text citations with three or more authors use "et al." with the first and all other subsequent citations. (Smith et al., 2019) Use bias-free language: e.g., person-first language, using "they" and ...

  15. PDF How to Prepare your Dissertation in APA Style Style Manual Spacing Margins

    te.Style ManualIt is recommended that APA Style Seventh. is used. It should be in 12-point type using Times. ew Roman font.SpacingThe test in the manuscript should be double-spaced. The right margin of the text should not be justified, but. -aligned, also known as ragged right, like the test in this guide.

  16. APA Tables and Figures

    Cite your source automatically in APA. The purpose of tables and figures in documents is to enhance your readers' understanding of the information in the document; usually, large amounts of information can be communicated more efficiently in tables or figures. Tables are any graphic that uses a row and column structure to organize information ...

  17. Sample papers

    These sample papers demonstrate APA Style formatting standards for different student paper types. Students may write the same types of papers as professional authors (e.g., quantitative studies, literature reviews) or other types of papers for course assignments (e.g., reaction or response papers, discussion posts), dissertations, and theses.

  18. Dissertation Appendix ~ Components, Format & Examples

    An appendix is an integral part of every dissertation paper, serving as supplementary material that enhances and supports the research study. However, only a few people understand what the section is, where it must be placed, and why it must be included in a dissertation.Therefore, while not typically central to the dissertation's argument, the appendix adds valuable context and transparency ...

  19. Dissertation Editor : APA Style: Tables, Figures, & Appendices

    We have PhD-level APA style experts on staff who can develop or format all visual aspects of your dissertation or thesis. Please feel free to call or e-mail us at any time for a free price quote! Phone: 857-200-2241. Email: [email protected].

  20. Figure and Table Lists

    Navigate to the References tab, and click "Insert Caption," which you can find in the Captions group. Give your caption a name. In the Label list, you can select the label that best describes your figure or table, or make your own by selecting "New Label.". Next, you can insert the list of tables and figures directly by clicking ...

  21. Appendix Dissertation

    Appendix in dissertation is a section where non-standard format data is included. It is designed to improve quality of work, make it more evident and trustworthy. This section shows your readers the level of your competence and topic's depth. This part contains elements related to your research like tables, images, maps, documents, etc.

  22. Appendix Dissertation Apa

    The document discusses the challenges of properly formatting an appendix in APA style for a dissertation. It notes that an appendix includes supplementary materials to support a study but may be too detailed for the main text. Strict APA guidelines for formatting appendices, such as ordering and labeling tables and figures, require careful attention to detail. The document recommends seeking ...

  23. APA Sample Paper

    Media Files: APA Sample Student Paper , APA Sample Professional Paper This resource is enhanced by Acrobat PDF files. Download the free Acrobat Reader. Note: The APA Publication Manual, 7 th Edition specifies different formatting conventions for student and professional papers (i.e., papers written for credit in a course and papers intended for scholarly publication).

  24. Ethnic minority underachievement in UK higher education: an analysis of

    This study evaluated the intersectionality thesis, which suggests that the interaction of ethnicity, sex, and socioeconomic status significantly affects achievement in UK higher education. The study used a sample of 135,699 students from the Graduate Outcomes survey for the 2018/19 cohort, the last to leave higher education before the COVID-19 ...