CUG Libraries - Research Techniques: Using Figures, Tables & Images
Developing Your Research: Using Figures, Tables & Images
Multimedia (including images, video and audio files) can be used to enhance and deepen your assignments, including research projects. This page details useful sources to draw content from to enhance research outputs.
Multimedia elements, however, may also be more complex to include in assignments, both technically and legally. Leaving aside technical barriers (speak to an Education Technologist for support with these), the legal restrictions to using other creators' work are typically grouped under the blanket term 'copyright', although 'intellectual property' is perhaps more accurate.
Generally, as a student you are able to use others' work (with citation) within an educational context without issue, as there is a clear exemption for educational use. However, students will sometimes develop or share their research outside of these clearly-defined parameters (for example uploading to a repository like ResearchGate). In this circumstance, media created by others will typically need to be individually cleared with copyright holders to ensure it can legally be included in the shared file.
What should be included as a figure?
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Figures are generally images (graphs, models, diagrams or illustrations), but may also be a text box of self-contained information. Figures should be:
- Substantial - figures are not decorative, they relate to the wider topics being discussed
- Incorporated - the information provided by the figure should be directly referred to in the main body of the assignment
- Necessary to include - figures are typically not otherwise accessible, or are essential to understand the argument being made; if the content of a figure could simply be cited and referenced as usual, do so.
The source that the figure came from (or was adapted from) should be cited and referenced.
What should be included as a table?
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Tables are typically grids of data (containing numbers and/or words). They may be saved as images if necessary, but are generally inserted as tables. Tables should be:
- Key data - whether primary or secondary (created by you or by another author), information in the table should have clear relevance to the surrounding argument
- Incorporated - the information provided by the table should be directly interpreted in the main body of the assignment
- Necessary to include - data in tables is generally included where asking the reader to refer to the original source (or an appendix) is not reasonable; if the data could simply be cited and referenced as usual, do so.
The source where the data in the table came from (or was adapted from) should be cited and referenced.
Useful sources for finding multimedia
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English Heritage ViewfinderHistoric and more photographs of England, which may be useful to illustrate history- and socially-focused presentations.
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Freeimages.co.ukStock images site, with content sorted into thematic galleries alongside a keyword search.
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Freeimages.comStock images site with large bank of free-to-use images (along with links to paid content).
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Google Image SearchSearch designed for finding images. Use the 'tools' menu to refine by size, colour and usage restrictions.
Note: citations/references should be to the original website where the image is hosted rather than to Google Images. -
MorgueFile.comStock images site focused on more artistic and retro-aesthetic photographs (along with links to paid content)
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The Noun ProjectIcons and symbols are the main focus of the Noun Project collection, though photographs are also included. Check usage restrictions for non-educational use.
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Pixabay: Free high quality images you can use anywhereStock images, photos, illustrations, and vector graphics which can be used as decorative elements of a presentation without attribution.
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UnsplashFree images you can use in your work; no attribution needed.
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VADS - Visual Arts Data ServiceA copyright-cleared portfolio of visual art collections comprising over 140,000 images.
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Wikimedia Commons ImagesThe image repository used by Wikipedia along with many other open-source sites. Check licences for any usage restrictions.
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Ads of the worldCollection of film commercials and stills images. Some grouping of content, along with search functionality. Limited free features.
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BFI Archives (free content)Collection of newsreels, short films and other British cinema from across the 20th century. Includes a 'Britain on Film' section, where films relevant to points on a map can be found.
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Box of Broadcasts (BoB)On-demand TV and radio programmes
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British PathéCollection of newsreel footage from the 1920s to the 1970s, showing contemporary views on issues and current events.
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The National Archives | Public Information FilmsBritish Public Information films on the National Archives website (archived content, limited functionality).
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TED TalksShort talks and lectures from speakers across the globe (albeit with many coming from the USA). Consider the objectivity of any arguments you wish to use in assignments.
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British Library - SoundsBritish Library Sounds allows you to listen to a selection from the Library’s collections of unique sound and moving image recordings. They come from all over the world and cover the entire range of recorded sound: music, drama and literature, oral history, wildlife and environmental sounds.