Citation suggestions for figures
Examples:
- Fig. 1: Inclusion model according to Müller; taken from: Müller, 2020, p. 5.
- Fig. 2: Overview of constructivist learning theories; following: Johnson, 1999, p. 20.
- Fig. 3: Coding of the interviews by frequency; own illustration.
For each variant, it is important that you cite the image source consistently, transparently and as precisely as possible. In some academic disciplines and cultures, it is not customary to mark your own illustrations, but only altered and fully reproduced ones.
For deeper insight and subject-specific use of figures and tables (available via VPN connection):
- Ebster, Claus; Stalzer, Lieselotte (2017): Wissenschaftliches Arbeiten für Wirtschafts- und Sozialwissenschaftler. Stuttgart, Vienna: UTB GmbH; Facultas (UTB, 2471). See Chapter 7.
- Hirsch-Weber, Andreas et al. (2016): Wissenschaftliches Schreiben und Abschlussarbeit in Natur- und Ingenieurwissenschaften. Stuttgart: Verlag Eugen Ulmer. See Chapter 5.
Use as image quote
If you use the figure as evidence, explain it and integrate it into your work, then you do not need to ask for permission.
In the following box the decisive sentence is quoted, taken from the article: Copyright and academic research: what are the key issues that affect you as an author?
“[…] quotations are only permissible if they are intended to support an argument. Use of quotations without any commentary, e.g. for illustrative or decorative purposes, is not permitted under the right of quotation and therefore may only be carried out with the consent of the author or copyright owner and payment of remuneration.”
– Source: publisso.de
The function of figures
In academic work, unnecessary illustrations and graphic decoration are out of place.
Use figures – your own and others with source reference – as substantive additions, and refer to your figure in the running text.
The use of figures is also formulated in the so-called Copyright Act. You can find more information in the Act on Copyright and Related Rights (Copyright Act) § 51 Quotations.
Create or reconstruct figures yourself
Lucidchart and Visio are examples of tools you can use to create figures yourself. We compared both and created an evaluation table so that you can choose the right tool for you.
These two articles form the basis of our preliminary evaluation:
| 1. Price | |
| Lucidchart: Basic version with limited functions free. | Visio: normally costs 11 €, free online via MS 365 for TH students. |
| 2. Teamwork | |
| Lucidchart: Direct collaboration, internal chat in app. | Visio: MS Teams – chat and video calls, work alone and together, e.g. with PowerPoint, Word etc. |
| 3. File import | |
| Lucidchart: Google files, CSV files. Import is easier and requires less tech knowledge. | Visio: Direct import of all Office files, e.g. directly from Excel or Access databases. For import you need to be familiar with MS Office, but you also have more options. |
| 4. Creating mind maps | |
| Functionality identical in both programs. |
Frequently asked questions
When do I use figures?
Figures serve in an academic context as substantive additions and evidence, not as decoration.
Why do I have to not only cite figures but also label them?
Figures must be labeled so that you can clearly refer to a specific figure in the running text. If you do not do this, a figure would only be decoration and thus a violation of copyright law.
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This article was published in September 2025 and last updated in November 2024.