Do you have information such as raw data or graphs that you think are too long or distracting to put into the body of your assignment? Keep reading to find out how appendices could be used to solve this problem.
An appendix is a section at the end of an assignment that contains supplementary information which may help your reader to better understand your research. However, this information should not be essential to the meaning of your assignment. In other words, your assignment should be complete without your appendices.
What is included in an appendix?
An appendix is where you put information that would allow your reader to better understand your research, but which is too long or distracting to include in the body of the assignment. Some examples are:
Raw data including tables and figures
Graphs, charts, statistics
Technical figures or drawings
Supporting evidence
Questionnaires and surveys
Interview transcripts
Field notes
Correspondence such as letters and emails
Sample calculations
Descriptions of research instruments
Maps
Photographs
Organising appendices
Here are some considerations for how to organise your appendices:
You should have a separate appendix for each different theme or set of data.
Table and figure numbers are required in the appendices, just as they are in the body of the assignment.
Your appendices should be listed in the table of contents.
Style and format
How your appendices are formatted will depend on the style guide you have been asked to use in your assignment instructions. Some common styles are APA 7th Edition, Chicago, IEEE and Harvard. However, here are some general formatting instructions for appendices:
Your appendices should not be overcrowded. Try to make it as easy as possible for the reader to access the information.
Use graphs, tables and charts that are easy to understand.
Your appendices will come either before or after your references, depending on the style you are using.
A heading of ‘Appendix’ should be used for each section, followed by a number or letter (e.g. Appendix 1 / Appendix C), depending on the style you are using.
Order your appendices in the order that the information appears in the body of your work.
