There are 4 main types of notes that may need to be used below a graph, illustrated in the example below:
- Definitions of acronyms used in the graph or figure name. The first line of figure notes should be any acronyms or abbreviations used in the graph, listed alphabetically. Only include abbreviations for units of measurement if they are unusual or if your audience might not be familiar with them (eg km does not need to be defined; µg may need to be defined, depending on your audience). Use a spaced =, and a semicolon to separate multiple entries. There is no need for a full stop at the end:
CV = coefficient of variation; SD = standard deviation
- Explanation of something in the graph or the figure name. The second line of figure notes is explanations. These are indicated in the graph by superscript letters (a, b, etc). Under the figure, list the letters (not superscripted), use a tab to separate the letter and note text, and start each note with a capital letter. Only insert a full stop at the end if the note is a full sentence or there is more than 1 sentence. Start each note on a new line:
a Laboratory D did not report results corrected for recovery. Results corrected for recovery were
calculated by the study coordinator.
b Preliminary results
- Other notes. The third line of figure notes is additional information about the whole graph, given as a general note. Use the word Note:, followed by a tab. Start the note with a capital and end with a full stop (notes should be full sentences). For more than 1 note, use a numbered list with a tab to separate the number and note text, starting on the line underneath the word Notes:
Note: Data for January to February 2013 have not been included.
or
Notes:
1. Several respondents commented that they don’t like broccoli or brussels sprouts.
2. The Cancer Council advises that eating 2 serves of fruit and 5 serves of vegetables each day
reduces risk of developing cancer.
- Sources of information. The last line of figure notes is the source(s) of information. To refer to the source of specific data within the figure, use a superscript letter and a note, as described above. For the source of the whole graph, use the word Source: and insert the citation. If the document uses author–date (Harvard) style citations, this will be the author name and date, with parentheses around the date:
Source: Smith et al (2005)
If the document uses numbered (Vancouver) citations, insert just the author name and a superscript reference number; do not include the date of the reference:
Source: Smith et al23
Do not put a full stop at the end of the source. If multiple sources have been used for the graph, use Sources: and a comma between entries. List sources chronologically, not alphabetically:
Sources: Smith (2008), Nelson (2011)
All references in figure notes should be cited in full in the reference list at the end of the document (see References). If the graph is completely original and there is no need to include a source, leave out the source.
