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Academic Integrity Tutorial

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Figures, Tables, Equations

Slide 11/17

When you quote information which has been previously published elsewhere such as as a figure, table, or equation, you can apply the same rules which applied to quoting text. You need to choose between a direct quotation, and reinterpreting the information in a form which is equivalent to paraphrasing. In every case you have to fully acknowledge your sources. Carefully following conventions for labelling figures, tables and equations can assist in this process, but you must also make sure that your sources are cited, and if you are offering a modified form of a diagram you will still need to acknowledge the original author and publication.

The examples below deal with figures, tables and equations in turn.

Figures

It may be that you can reproduce a figure, table or equation directly, for example:

Dubey and Crowder developed a three link articulated finger test rig [1] as shown in Figure 1 below

Figure 1. The experimental set-up used by Dubey and Crowder [1]

References

[1} V.N. Dubey, R.M. Crowder, Grasping and control issues in adaptive end effectors, in: ASME International Design Engineering Technical Conference, DETC2004-57126, Salt Lake City, UT, USA, September 28–October 2, 2004.

You might have redrawn the test rig in diagramatic form, or have taken a picture of your own rig which was based on the design by Dubey and Crowder, in those instances you should still acknowledge the original, and ensure that the figure you include is clearly labelled.

The example below shows the difference between referencing an original diagram, and a version of the diagram which has been modified

Figure 1 : A UML communication diagram (Lethbridge and Laganiere [5], chapter 8, age 290)

Figure 2 : A UML communication diagram (based on one in Lethbridge and Laganiere [5]. chapter 89, page 290)

Tables
A table may be reproduced in its original form, or you may change it in some way.

the example below shows a copy of the original table which was presented in a paper, followed by an example of how it might be referenced in a student’s report

 

Often it is neccesary to re-present the information. The example below shows the table redrawn with accompanying text.

Nearest
neighbours

Magnitude CCR (%)

Phase Magnitude CCR (%)

k=1

50

80

k=3

40

90

Table 2 Correct Classification Rates found by Cunado et al.

Table 2 above shows the results presented by Cunado et al [6] who examined gait as a bioimetric via phase weighted magnitude spectra, demonstrating the value of phase as well as frequency content as a practical biometric.

Reference
[1]…
… [6] Cunado, D., Nixon, M., and Carter, J., “Using Gait as a Biometric, Via Phase-Weighted Magnitude Spectra,” pp. 95–102, 1997.

Equations
The challenge with quoting equations is to ensure that you weave the meaning and significance of the equation into the narrative of the rest of the report or dissertation. You need quote equations to acknowledge prior work and to enable the reader to return to the original sources. You do not need to cite the source of every equation, some equations will be considered to be ‘common knowledge’. Fundamentals of discipline are often considered to be common knowledge – for example Ohms Law.
Common Knowledge
There is no need to quote the sources of information which is considered to be ‘common knowledge’. Typically material which is found in the course recommended data book can be considered to be ‘common knowledge. Material which is taught to you during the first two years of an undergraduate degree can be considered common knowledge. Material which you are taught in specialist courses during the third year of an undergraduate degree or later will typically not be considered ‘common knowledge’ and you should cite the original sources accordingly.