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Thesis and Dissertation Appendicies – What to Include

• By DiscoverPhDs
• August 12, 2020

An appendix is a section at the end of a dissertation that contains supplementary information. An appendix may contain figures, tables, raw data, and other additional information that supports the arguments of your dissertation but do not belong in the main body.

It can be either a long appendix or split into several smaller appendices. Each appendix should have its own title and identification letters, and the numbering for any tables or figures in them should be reset at the beginning of each new appendix.

Purpose of an Appendix

When writing the main body of your dissertation, it is important to keep it short and concise in order to convey your arguments effectively.

Given the amount of research you would have done, you will probably have a lot of additional information that you would like to share with your audience.

This is where appendices come in. Any information that doesn’t support your main arguments or isn’t directly relevant to the topic of your dissertation should be placed in an appendix.

This will help you organise your paper, as only information that adds weight to your arguments will be included; it will also help improve your flow by minimising unnecessary interruptions.

Note, however, that your main body must be detailed enough that it can be understood without your appendices. If a reader has to flip between pages to make sense of what they are reading, they are unlikely to understand it.

For this reason, appendices should only be used for supporting background material and not for any content that doesn’t fit into your word count, such as the second half of your literature review .

What to Include in a Dissertation Appendix

A dissertation appendix can be used for the following supplementary information:

Research Results

There are various ways in which research results can be presented, such as in tables or diagrams.

Although all of your results will be useful to some extent, you won’t be able to include them all in the main body of your dissertation. Consequently, only those that are crucial to answering your research question should be included.

Your other less significant findings should be placed in your appendix, including raw data, proof of control measures, and other supplemental material.

Details of Questionnaires and Interviews

You can choose to include the details of any surveys and interviews you have conducted. This can include:

• An interview transcript,
• A copy of any survey questions,
• Questionnaire results.

Although the results of your surveys, questionnaires or interviews should be presented and discussed in your main text, it is useful to include their full form in the appendix of a dissertation to give credibility to your study.

Tables, Figures and Illustrations

If your dissertation contains a large number of tables, figures and illustrative material, it may be helpful to insert the less important ones in your appendix. For example, if you have four related datasets, you could present all the data and trend lines (made identifiable by different colours) on a single chart with a further breakdown for each dataset in your appendix.

Letters and Correspondence

If you have letters or correspondence, either between yourself and other researchers or places where you sought permission to reuse copyrighted material, they should be included here. This will help ensure that your dissertation doesn’t become suspected of plagiarism.

List of Abbreviations

Most researchers will provide a list of abbreviations at the beginning of their dissertation, but if not, it would be wise to add them as an appendix.

This is because not all of your readers will have the same background as you and therefore may have difficulty understanding the abbreviations and technical terms you use.

Note: Some researchers refer to this as a ‘glossary’, especially if it is provided as an appendix section. For all intended purposes, this is the same as a list of abbreviations.

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How to Format a Dissertation Appendix

In regards to format, you can include one lengthy appendix or structure it into several smaller appendices.

Although the choice is yours, it is usually better to opt for several different appendices as it allows you to organise your supplementary information into different categories based on what they are.

The following guidelines should be observed when preparing your dissertation appendices section:

• Each appendix should start on a new page and be given a unique title and identifying letter, such as “Appendix A – Raw Data”. This allows you to more easily refer to appendix headings in the text of your main body should you need to.
• Each appendix should have its own page numbering system, comprising the appendix identification letter and the corresponding page number. The appendix identification letter should be reset for each appendix, but the page number should remain continuous. For example, if ‘Appendix A’ has three pages and ‘Appendix B’ two pages, the page numbers should be A-1, A-2, A-3, B-4, B-5.
• The numbering of tables and figures should be reset at the beginning of each new appendix. For example, if ‘Appendix A’ contains two tables and ‘Appendix B’ one table, the table number within Appendix B should be ‘Table 1’ and not ‘Table 3’.
• If you have multiple appendices instead of a single longer one, insert a ‘List of Appendices’ in the same way as your contents page.
• Use the same formatting (font size, font type, spacing, margins, etc.) as the rest of your report.

Example of Appendices

Below is an example of what a thesis or dissertation appendix could look like.

Referring to an Appendix In-Text

You must refer to each appendix in the main body of your dissertation at least once to justify its inclusion; otherwise, the question arises as to whether they are really needed.

You can refer to an appendix in one of three ways:

1. Refer to a specific figure or table within a sentence, for example: “As shown in Table 2 of Appendix A, there is little correlation between X and Y”.

2. Refer to a specific figure or table in parentheses, for example: “The results (refer to Table 2 of Appendix A) show that there is little correlation between X and Y”.

3. Refer to an entire appendix, for example: “The output data can be found in Appendix A”.

Appendices vs Appendixes

Both terms are correct, so it is up to you which one you prefer. However, it is worth noting that ‘appendices’ are used more frequently in the science and research community, so we recommend using the former in academic writing if you have no preferences.

Where Does an Appendix Go?

For a dissertation, your appendices should be inserted after your reference list.

Some people like to put their appendices in a standalone document to separate it from the rest of their report, but we only recommend this at the request of your dissertation supervisor, as this isn’t common practice.

Note : Your university may have its own requirements or formatting suggestions for writing your dissertation or thesis appendix. As such, make sure you check with your supervisor or department before you work on your appendices. This will especially be the case for any students working on a thesis.

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• Research Paper Appendix | Example & Templates

Research Paper Appendix | Example & Templates

Published on 15 August 2022 by Kirsten Dingemanse and Tegan George. Revised on 25 October 2022.

An appendix is a supplementary document that facilitates your reader’s understanding of your research but is not essential to your core argument. Appendices are a useful tool for providing additional information or clarification in a research paper , dissertation , or thesis without making your final product too long.

Appendices help you provide more background information and nuance about your topic without disrupting your text with too many tables and figures or other distracting elements.

We’ve prepared some examples and templates for you, for inclusions such as research protocols, survey questions, and interview transcripts. All are worthy additions to an appendix. You can download these in the format of your choice below.

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Table of contents

What is an appendix in a research paper, what to include in an appendix, how to format an appendix, how to refer to an appendix, where to put your appendices, other components to consider, appendix checklist.

In the main body of your research paper, it’s important to provide clear and concise information that supports your argument and conclusions . However, after doing all that research, you’ll often find that you have a lot of other interesting information that you want to share with your reader.

While including it all in the body would make your paper too long and unwieldy, this is exactly what an appendix is for.

As a rule of thumb, any detailed information that is not immediately needed to make your point can go in an appendix. This helps to keep your main text focused but still allows you to include the information you want to include somewhere in your paper.

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An appendix can be used for different types of information, such as:

• Supplementary results : Research findings  are often presented in different ways, but they don’t all need to go in your paper. The results most relevant to your research question should always appear in the main text, while less significant results (such as detailed descriptions of your sample or supplemental analyses that do not help answer your main question), can be put in an appendix.
• Statistical analyses : If you conducted statistical tests using software like Stata or R, you may also want to include the outputs of your analysis in an appendix.
• Further information on surveys or interviews : Written materials or transcripts related to things such as surveys and interviews can also be placed in an appendix.

You can opt to have one long appendix, but separating components (like interview transcripts, supplementary results, or surveys) into different appendices makes the information simpler to navigate.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Always start each appendix on a new page.
• Assign it both a number (or letter) and a clear title, such as ‘Appendix A. Interview transcripts’. This makes it easier for your reader to find the appendix, as well as for you to refer back to it in your main text.
• Number and title the individual elements within each appendix (e.g., ‘Transcripts’) to make it clear what you are referring to. Restart the numbering in each appendix at 1.

It is important that you refer to each of your appendices at least once in the main body of your paper. This can be done by mentioning the appendix and its number or letter, either in parentheses or within the main part of a sentence. It is also possible to refer to a particular component of an appendix.

Appendix B presents the correspondence exchanged with the fitness boutique. Example 2. Referring to an appendix component These results (see Appendix 2, Table 1) show that …

It is common to capitalise ‘Appendix’ when referring to a specific appendix, but it is not mandatory. The key is just to make sure that you are consistent throughout your entire paper, similarly to consistency in capitalising headings and titles in academic writing.

However, note that lowercase should always be used if you are referring to appendices in general. For instance, ‘The appendices to this paper include additional information about both the survey and the interviews.’

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The simplest option is to add your appendices after the main body of your text, after you finish citing your sources in the citation style of your choice . If this is what you choose to do, simply continue with the next page number. Another option is to put the appendices in a separate document that is delivered with your dissertation.

Remember that any appendices should be listed in your paper’s table of contents .

There are a few other supplementary components related to appendices that you may want to consider. These include:

• List of abbreviations : If you use a lot of abbreviations or field-specific symbols in your dissertation, it can be helpful to create a list of abbreviations .
• Glossary : If you utilise many specialised or technical terms, it can also be helpful to create a glossary .
• Tables, figures and other graphics : You may find you have too many tables, figures, and other graphics (such as charts and illustrations) to include in the main body of your dissertation. If this is the case, consider adding a figure and table list .

Checklist: Appendix

All appendices contain information that is relevant, but not essential, to the main text.

Each appendix starts on a new page.

I have given each appendix a number and clear title.

I have assigned any specific sub-components (e.g., tables and figures) their own numbers and titles.

My appendices are easy to follow and clearly formatted.

I have referred to each appendix at least once in the main text.

Your appendices look great! Use the other checklists to further improve your thesis.

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the ‘Cite this Scribbr article’ button to automatically add the citation to our free Reference Generator.

Dingemanse, K. & George, T. (2022, October 25). Research Paper Appendix | Example & Templates. Scribbr. Retrieved 21 May 2024, from https://www.scribbr.co.uk/thesis-dissertation/appendix/

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An appendix contains supplementary material that is not an essential part of the text itself but which may be helpful in providing a more comprehensive understanding of the research problem or it is information that is too cumbersome to be included in the body of the paper. A separate appendix should be used for each distinct topic or set of data and always have a title descriptive of its contents.

Tables, Appendices, Footnotes and Endnotes. The Writing Lab and The OWL. Purdue University.

Importance of...

Appendices are always supplementary to the research paper. As such, your study must be able to stand alone without the appendices, and the paper must contain all information including tables, diagrams, and results necessary to understand the research problem. The key point to remember when including an appendix or appendices is that the information is non-essential; if it were removed, the reader would still be able to  comprehend the significance, validity , and implications of your research.

It is appropriate to include appendices for the following reasons:

• Including this material in the body of the paper that would render it poorly structured or interrupt the narrative flow;
• Information is too lengthy and detailed to be easily summarized in the body of the paper;
• Inclusion of helpful, supporting, or useful material would otherwise distract the reader from the main content of the paper;
• Provides relevant information or data that is more easily understood or analyzed in a self-contained section of the paper;
• Can be used when there are constraints placed on the length of your paper; and,
• Provides a place to further demonstrate your understanding of the research problem by giving additional details about a new or innovative method, technical details, or design protocols.

Appendices. Academic Skills Office, University of New England; Chapter 12, "Use of Appendices." In Guide to Effective Grant Writing: How to Write a Successful NIH Grant . Otto O. Yang. (New York: Kluwer Academic, 2005), pp. 55-57; Tables, Appendices, Footnotes and Endnotes. The Writing Lab and The OWL. Purdue University.

Structure and Writing Style

I.  General Points to Consider

When considering whether to include content in an appendix, keep in mind the following:

• It is usually good practice to include your raw data in an appendix, laying it out in a clear format so the reader can re-check your results. Another option if you have a large amount of raw data is to consider placing it online [e.g., on a Google drive] and note that this is the appendix to your research paper.
• Any tables and figures included in the appendix should be numbered as a separate sequence from the main paper . Remember that appendices contain non-essential information that, if removed, would not diminish a reader's ability to understand the research problem being investigated. This is why non-textual elements should not carry over the sequential numbering of non-textual elements in the body of your paper.
• If you have more than three appendices, consider listing them on a separate page in the table of contents . This will help the reader know what information is included in the appendices. Note that some works list appendices in the table of contents before the first chapter while other styles list the appendices after the conclusion but before your references. Consult with your professor to confirm if there is a preferred approach.
• The appendix can be a good place to put maps, photographs, diagrams, and other images , if you feel that it will help the reader to understand the content of your paper, while keeping in mind the study should be understood without them.
• An appendix should be streamlined and not loaded with a lot information . If you have a very long and complex appendix, it is a good idea to break it down into separate appendices, allowing the reader to find relevant information quickly as the information is covered in the body of the paper.

II.  Content

Never include an appendix that isn’t referred to in the text . All appendices should be summarized in your paper where it is relevant to the content. Appendices should also be arranged sequentially by the order they were first referenced in the text [i.e., Appendix 1 should not refer to text on page eight of your paper and Appendix 2 relate to text on page six].

There are few rules regarding what type of material can be included in an appendix, but here are some common examples:

• Correspondence -- if your research included collaborations with others or outreach to others, then correspondence in the form of letters, memorandums, or copies of emails from those you interacted with could be included.
• Interview Transcripts -- in qualitative research, interviewing respondents is often used to gather information. The full transcript from an interview is important so the reader can read the entire dialog between researcher and respondent. The interview protocol [list of questions] should also be included.
• Non-textual elements -- as noted above, if there are a lot of non-textual items, such as, figures, tables, maps, charts, photographs, drawings, or graphs, think about highlighting examples in the text of the paper but include the remainder in an appendix.
• Questionnaires or surveys -- this is a common form of data gathering. Always include the survey instrument or questionnaires in an appendix so the reader understands not only the questions asked but the sequence in which they were asked. Include all variations of the instruments as well if different items were sent to different groups [e.g., those given to teachers and those given to administrators] .
• Raw statistical data – this can include any numerical data that is too lengthy to include in charts or tables in its entirety within the text. This is important because the entire source of data should be included even if you are referring to only certain parts of a chart or table in the text of your paper.
• Research instruments -- if you used a camera, or a recorder, or some other device to gather information and it is important for the reader to understand how, when, and/or where that device was used.
• Sample calculations – this can include quantitative research formulas or detailed descriptions of how calculations were used to determine relationships and significance.

NOTE:   Appendices should not be a dumping ground for information. Do not include vague or irrelevant information in an appendix; this additional information will not help the reader’s overall understanding and interpretation of your research and may only distract the reader from understanding the significance of your overall study.

ANOTHER NOTE:   Appendices are intended to provide supplementary information that you have gathered or created; it is not intended to replicate or provide a copy of the work of others. For example, if you need to contrast the techniques of analysis used by other authors with your own method of analysis, summarize that information, and cite to the original work. In this case, a citation to the original work is sufficient enough to lead the reader to where you got the information. You do not need to provide a copy of this in an appendix.

III.  Format

Here are some general guideline on how to format appendices . If needed, consult the writing style guide [e.g., APA, MLS, Chicago] your professor wants you to use for more detail:

• Appendices may precede or follow your list of references.
• Each appendix begins on a new page.
• The order they are presented is dictated by the order they are mentioned in the text of your research paper.
• The heading should be "Appendix," followed by a letter or number [e.g., "Appendix A" or "Appendix 1"], centered and written in bold type.
• If there is a table of contents, the appendices must be listed.
• The page number(s) of the appendix/appendices will continue on with the numbering from the last page of the text.

Appendices. The Structure, Format, Content, and Style of a Journal-Style Scientific Paper. Department of Biology. Bates College;  Appendices. Academic Skills Office, University of New England; Appendices. Writing Center, Walden University; Chapter 12, "Use of Appendices." In Guide to Effective Grant Writing: How to Write a Successful NIH Grant . Otto O. Yang. (New York: Kluwer Academic, 2005), pp. 55-57 ; Tables, Appendices, Footnotes and Endnotes. The Writing Lab and The OWL. Purdue University; Lunsford, Andrea A. and Robert Connors. The St. Martin's Handbook . New York: St. Martin's Press, 1989; What To Know About The Purpose And Format Of A Research Paper Appendix. LoyolaCollegeCulion.com.

Writing Tip

Consider Putting Your Appendices Online

Appendices are useful because they provide the reader with information that supports your study without breaking up the narrative or distracting from the main purpose of your paper. If you have a lot of raw data or information that is difficult to present in textual form, consider uploading it to an online site. This prevents your paper from having a large and unwieldy set of appendices and it supports a growing movement within academe to make data more freely available for re-analysis. If you do create an online portal to your data, note it prominently in your paper with the correct URL and access procedures if it is a secured site, or if needed, with clear directions on how to contact the author to obtain access.

Piwowar, Heather A., Roger S. Day, and Douglas B. Fridsma. “Sharing Detailed Research Data Is Associated with Increased Citation Rate.” PloS ONE (March 21, 2007); Wicherts, Jelte M., Marjan Bakker, and Dylan Molenaar. “Willingness to Share Research Data Is Related to the Strength of the Evidence and the Quality of Reporting of Statistical Results.” PLoS ONE (November 2, 2011).

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Formatting your thesis: Appendices & supplemental material

On this page

Introduction, materials included in appendices, supplementary material or research data files, order of appendices, appendix headings, formatting help.

Appendices provide supplementary information to the main thesis and should always appear after the references/bibliography. If you are unsure about whether content should be included in the thesis or in an appendix, consult with your supervisor. The thesis and appendices must be uploaded in a single file.

For more information about appendices, please see the Thesis Template Instructions .

Note: Signatures, personal phone numbers, or personal email addresses (ones that contains part of a person’s name) must be redacted from your thesis. This means that the text is fully removed, and cannot be copied & pasted out of the document.

If including copyrighted materials as appendices, see Copyright at SFU .

Examples of material included in appendices are as follows--also refer to Formatting Help .

• interview questions
• participant letters / forms  
• surveys / questionnaires (if not your own work, these require copyright permission)
• supplemental tables / figures / graphs / image

Supplementary material or research data files associated with your thesis can also be uploaded to your library submission record. We recommend publishing such files to Summit (the SFU Research Repository) as they will be available alongside your thesis. This is preferred to hosting such files externally or on personal cloud storage.     

Temporary instructions : Contact  [email protected] if you wish to upload such files with your thesis submission -- please do not upload them to the Thesis Registration System at this time. Data Services will require basic descriptive information for each of your files and will also help you organize your research data appropriately pending publication.  

If you are including supplementary material or research data files in your submission, you must include an appendix within your thesis document which contains an overall description of the supplementary material or research data files, authorship credits, and file name(s). This assists in “linking” your thesis document to any additional files, as well as providing further information and context about the file(s). The maximum file size for each file is 2GB. If you have a larger file size, please contact  [email protected] .  

Appendix examples: 

• video file example
• data file example

Note : if your Ethics approval requires that supplementary material or research data files be destroyed after a certain period, then such files cannot be published to Summit (the SFU Research Repository). Please contact  [email protected] to identify other possible solutions in this case.  

Accepted supplementary material or research data file types: 

aac, cif, csv, docx, dta, epub, exe, gdb, geojson, gif, iso, jp2, jpg, jpeg, json, kml, kmz, las, mp3, mp4, mpv, odt, pdf, png, pptx, py, qgs, qgz, r, rar, rmd, rtf, shp, tex, tif, tiff, txt, wav, xlsx, zip 

It is recommended to use the best file formats  to allow for data files to be openly accessible for the long term, so that they remain usable through software upgrades and changes in the computing environment. See the Research Data Management (RDM) website  for more information about the handling and organization of data during your research.

Appendices appear in the order in which they are introduced in the text.  

You may include one appendix or a number of appendices.

If you have more than one appendix, you would letter each accordingly (i.e., Appendix A, Appendix B, etc.). Write your appendix headings in the same manner as your chapter headings.

• Transfer the text and re-format using the template styles as necessary, or 
• Convert the documents into images and insert them into your document, one image per page.

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• Writing Tips

Dissertation Advice: How to Use the Appendix

3-minute read

• 5th June 2017

Unlike the human appendix, the appendices at the end of your dissertation are very valuable… OK, we know that research has shown that the human appendix is useful. But we needed a snappy opening line and we’ll be damned if we let scientific evidence get in our way!

Anyway, our point is that you can often get extra marks on an academic paper by using the appendices effectively. In this blog post, we explain how.

What to Put in the Appendix

An appendix is where extra information goes. What you include, and how many appendices you need, will depend on what you’re writing about. Common examples include:

• Raw test data
• Technical figures, graphs and tables
• Maps, charts and illustrations
• Letters and emails
• Sample questionnaires and surveys
• Interview transcripts

These are all things you might want to reference in your main essay without including them in full. For example, even if you quote an interview in the results and discussion section of an essay, you would not usually include the full transcript. Instead, you would write:

Participant 4 claimed to experience ‘dizziness and nausea’ (see Appendix B).

This points the reader to the appendix if they want to see where the quote came from.

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How to Format Appendices

The correct way to format appendices will depend on your university, so make sure to check your style guide . But in general, the following rules should be followed:

• Place appendices at the end of your document after the reference list
• Divide appendices by topic (e.g. separate sections for test results, illustrations and transcripts)
• Start each appendix on a new page and label it with a letter or number, along with a title clarifying content (Appendix A: Instrument Diagrams, Appendix B: Test Results, etc.)
• List appendices in the table of contents at the beginning of your document

Doing these things will make it easier for your reader to find information in the appendices.

Appendices and the Word Count

Appendices are not usually included in the word count for your paper. This means you can cut non-essential information from the main chapters and add it to an appendix without worrying about exceeding the word limit.

But be warned! This is not an excuse to cut vital information from your work. You must included all important data in your main essay. If you put essential information in the appendices, it could count against you when your work is marked.

Some universities include appendices in the word count, though, so there are better ways to ensure that your work doesn’t end up too wordy!

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Appendices within Manuscript

Appendices may be included as part of the manuscript. These typically appear after the Bibliography or References section. 

• List the Appendices in the Table of Contents
• Do not restart page numbering for your Appendices. For example, if the last page of your Bibliography is 195, your first Appendix page number should be 196. 

Appendices as Supplemental Files

Electronic or audiovisual data may be included as Supplemental Files in an ETD submission. Your committee should agree that the information contained in the supplemental files is of such a character that a medium other than text is necessary.

When uploading your manuscript to ProQuest, there is a place to upload Supplemental Files separate from the main PDF upload (see screen capture below). 

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Appendix, Appendices, List of Appendices

If you only have one appendix in your thesis, adding that is pretty straightforward. It is mostly treated like another chapter, except "Chapter" is changed to "Appendix". When you have more than one appendix, it gets more complicated and you have to add a List of Appendices in the front matter part of the thesis. The video tutorial demonstrates how to add a single appendix, how to format multiple appendices, and how to add the List of Appendices to the front of the thesis.

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The Appendix (How to Use One in an Essay)

2-minute read

• 30th March 2017

The appendices in an essay are not typically essential, but they can play an important supporting role. Not everyone knows how to use an appendix in academic writing , though, so we’ve prepared this handy guide.

What Is an Appendix?

An appendix (plural: appendices ) is a section at the end of a book or essay containing details that aren’t essential to your work, but which could provide useful context or background material.

In the main body of your essay, you should indicate when you’re referring to an appendix by citing it in parentheses. For example:

The interviews show that most people like ice cream (see Appendix C).

What Should Go in the Appendices?

Appendices can include many things depending on your topic. Common examples of information added to an appendix include:

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• Raw data from tests
• Technical figures, graphs or tables
• Maps, charts or images
• Letters or emails used in research
• Sample questionnaires or surveys
• Full interview transcripts

What these have in common is that you might need to refer to them in an essay without going into too much detail. For example, you might summarise the results of a test in the ‘Results’ section of a dissertation, then include the full data in appendices to ensure clarity.

How to Format Appendices

Exactly how to format appendices can vary between universities, so you should always check your style guide. Generally, though, appendices should:

• Appear at the end of your document, often after the reference list
• Be divided into sections depending on topic (e.g. separate sections for questionnaire results and interview transcripts)
• Have each appendix section start on a new page
• Be labelled with a letter or number, along with a title clarifying content (Appendix A: Instrument Diagrams, Appendix B: Test Results, etc.)
• Appear in the table of contents at the beginning of your document

Are Appendices Included in the Word Count?

Appendices are not usually included in the word count for an essay. Consequently, you can focus on key information in your work and place extra data in an appendix without worrying about the word count.

However, you should always check your style guide on this. And remember that if you rely on something in your main essay, it needs to be included there: you can’t just shuffle it into the appendices to reduce the word count !

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Home » Appendix in Research Paper – Examples and Writing Guide

Appendix in Research Paper – Examples and Writing Guide

Table of Contents

Appendix in Research Paper

Appendix in a research paper is a section located at the end of the document that contains supplementary material that is not essential to the main body of the research paper but is helpful to the reader in understanding the research study.

This supplementary material can include raw data, statistical analyses, graphs, charts, questionnaires , maps, and other supporting documents or evidence that are referred to in the main body of the paper or that are necessary for the reader to have a complete understanding of the research study.

How to Write Appendix in Research Paper

Here are the steps on how to write an appendix in a research paper:

• Determine what material you need to include in the appendix. This can include charts, graphs, images, tables, raw data, survey questionnaires, and any other material that supports your research but is not included in the main body of the paper.
• Organize the material in a logical and coherent manner . If you have multiple items to include, it is helpful to number them or use lettered headings (e.g., Appendix A, Appendix B) to make it easier for readers to find specific information.
• Title the appendix section appropriately. The title should reflect the content of the appendix and be descriptive enough for readers to understand what is included.
• If necessary, provide a brief introduction or explanation for the material in the appendix. This can help readers understand why the information is relevant to your research.
• Place the appendix section after the main body of the paper and before the reference section.
• Make sure to refer to the appendix in the main body of the paper . This can be done by including a parenthetical reference (e.g., see Appendix A) or by including a reference in the text (e.g., refer to Table 1 in Appendix A).
• Ensure that the formatting of the appendix is consistent with the rest of the paper, including font size and style, margins, and spacing.
• If you have multiple appendices, provide a table of contents at the beginning of the appendix section to make it easier for readers to navigate.

Types of Appendix in Research Paper

In a research paper, there are two types of appendix:

Supplementary material

This type of appendix includes additional information that supports the main content of the research paper, but which is not essential to understanding the main argument. Supplementary material may include graphs, tables, figures, or lengthy data sets.

This type of appendix includes raw data that has been collected for the research study. It provides readers with the opportunity to analyze and verify the data used in the research paper. Raw data can be presented in various formats such as spreadsheets, tables, and graphs.

Example of Appendix in Research Paper

Here’s an example of an appendix for a research paper on the topic of “The Effects of Exercise on Mental Health”:

Appendix A: Survey Questionnaire

This questionnaire was administered to participants in the study “The Effects of Exercise on Mental Health.”

Section 1: Demographic Information

• Age: __________
• Gender: __________
• Ethnicity: __________
• Education level: __________
• Employment status: __________
• Annual income: __________

Section 2: Exercise Habits

• How often do you exercise? __________
• What type(s) of exercise do you engage in? __________
• How long do you typically exercise for? __________

Section 3: Mental Health

• Have you ever been diagnosed with a mental health disorder? __________
• Have you ever sought treatment for a mental health disorder? __________
• How often do you experience symptoms of depression? __________
• How often do you experience symptoms of anxiety? __________

Section 4: Additional Information

• Is there anything else you would like to share about your exercise habits or mental health?

Appendix B: Consent Form

This form was used to obtain informed consent from participants in the study “The Effects of Exercise on Mental Health.”

Title : Informed Consent Form

Study Title : The Effects of Exercise on Mental Health

Introduction :

You are being asked to participate in a research study conducted by [Researcher’s Name] at [Institution Name]. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between exercise and mental health.

Procedures :

You will be asked to complete a survey questionnaire about your exercise habits and mental health. The questionnaire will take approximately 15-20 minutes to complete.

Risks and Benefits:

There are no known risks associated with participation in this study. However, there may be benefits to participating, such as increased awareness of the relationship between exercise and mental health.

Confidentiality:

Your responses will be kept confidential and anonymous. Your data will be stored securely and will only be accessible to the research team.

Voluntary Participation:

Participation in this study is voluntary. You may choose not to participate or to withdraw from the study at any time without penalty.

Contact Information:

If you have any questions or concerns about this study, please contact [Researcher’s Name] at [Researcher’s Email Address].

By signing below, I acknowledge that I have read and understand the above information and voluntarily agree to participate in this study.

Signature: __________ Date: __________

Purpose of Appendix in Research Paper

• Supplementary Data: The appendix can be used to include additional data that is relevant to the research but is too extensive or detailed to be included in the main text. This can include tables, graphs, and other types of data that support the research findings.
• Methodological Details: Researchers may include detailed descriptions of their research methods in the appendix to provide additional information for readers who are interested in the research process. This can include descriptions of data collection procedures, sampling techniques, and statistical analyses.
• Supporting Documents : The appendix can be used to include supporting documents, such as survey instruments, interview protocols, or consent forms that were used during the research process.
• Technical Details: In some cases, the appendix may be used to include technical details that are necessary to understand the research findings. For example, researchers may include information on the algorithms used to analyze data or the specific equipment used in the study.
• Additional Resources : Finally, the appendix can be used to provide readers with additional resources, such as a bibliography of relevant literature or a list of websites that provide additional information on the research topic.
• Verification of Results : The appendix can be used to provide readers with additional information that verifies the accuracy of the research findings. For example, researchers may include a list of all the data sources used in the study or copies of original documents that were analyzed.
• Replication: Researchers may also use the appendix to provide detailed instructions on how to replicate the study, which can be particularly helpful for other researchers who are interested in building upon the findings.
• Ethics and Legal Compliance: In some cases, researchers may include information on ethical and legal compliance in the appendix. This can include documentation of the institutional review board (IRB) approval process, copies of consent forms, or other relevant legal or ethical documentation.

When to Write Appendix in Research Paper

You should include an appendix in your research paper if:

• Your research paper is long and includes a lot of supporting material: If your paper includes a lot of data, tables, or other supplementary material, it may be helpful to include an appendix to keep the main text focused and easy to read.
• You want to provide additional information that supports your research: If you have data or information that supports your research but is not essential to the main text, you can include it in an appendix.
• You want to provide technical details: If your research involves technical details that may not be of interest to all readers, you can include them in an appendix.

Advantages of Appendix in Research Paper

The appendix in a research paper can provide several advantages, including:

• Supplemental information : The appendix allows you to include additional information that is relevant to your research but may not be necessary to include in the main body of your paper. This can include data tables, graphs, diagrams, questionnaires, or any other material that supports your research.
• Organization: Including supplementary material in the appendix can help you to keep the main body of your paper focused and organized. It allows you to present all the relevant information without cluttering the main text.
• Transparency: The appendix can help to improve the transparency of your research by allowing readers to see the raw data that supports your conclusions. This can help to build trust and credibility with your audience.
• Avoiding repetition : Including detailed information in the appendix can help you to avoid repeating the same information in the main body of your paper. This can help to keep your paper concise and focused.
• Accessibility: The appendix can also provide a place to include information that might be useful for readers who want to delve deeper into the subject matter. This can include technical details, background information, or additional references.

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• How it works

What is Appendix in the Dissertation?

Published by Alvin Nicolas at August 12th, 2021 , Revised On June 13, 2023

“Appendix or appendices (plural) is/are used to provide additional data related to your dissertation research project.”

An appendix section in  dissertation  helps you to provide background data related to your topic; present  tables, illustrations, and figures  that are not directly relevant to your research questions in order to avoid disrupting the flow of the text; to make sure that your dissertation paper’s word count does not go beyond the limit. This article explains what is an appendix in the dissertation.

The Purpose of an Appendix

The main body of the dissertation paper generally contains text that adds weight to your arguments. However, some information that is not directly relevant to the topic of research but might be useful to your audience could be provided under the appendices section.

Any additional information that does not directly support your in-text arguments goes into appendices. This helps to keep your paper organised and within the word limit. It is important to make sure that your readers can understand the contents of your dissertation paper without having to look at the appendices. Any information that is important should be mentioned in the main body.

Items Included in Appendices in Dissertation

An appendix, which is also known as a postscript, includes the following:

Research findings can be presented in several ways. Findings including tables, illustrations and figures that are directly relevant to your research questions or  research problem  are included in the main body.

However, there are certain text,  tables and figures —such as supplemental analyses—that really need to be shown and cannot be ignored, but (due to less significance) can’t be included in the main body as it can disturb the flow of the text.

Such tables and figures are then included in the appendix section. The appendix includes more of the illustrations and  findings as a result of data analysis  that doesn’t directly address the research question but are essential to be shown.

Also Read:   How to Write Dissertation Acknowledgements

Surveys/Interviews

Appendices are helpful in mentioning extra information related to surveys , interviews or focus groups. You can clearly mention how respondents responded to underpin your findings.

Include Abbreviations Section

If you have utilised a lot of abbreviations or jargon, it might be difficult for lay-person to understand those terms. You can include the  abbreviations  section or a  glossary  section in the appendix, which are sometimes positioned at the start of the dissertation.

Tables, Figures and/or Graphs

Your dissertation may include a lot of tables, figures and/or graphs due to the  nature of research . The appendix is the appropriate platform to include all this information, including illustrations.

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Appendix Format

You can carry on with just one long appendix (if you don’t want to break it into different components and want it to be the only appendix in your dissertation).

On the other hand, you might want to have separate sections in appendices such as questionnaire responses, findings, key phrases and key terms; it would be easier to figure out the information provided in appendices.

If you decide to include multiple sections within your appendices, each appendix should start on a new page with a clearly assigned title and number, for instance, ‘Appendix 7. Survey questions’ . It allows for each section of the appendix to be clearly visible to the reader and researcher.

It is also recommended to mention the number and title against each element that is directly linked to the appendix so that the reader will be able to know what you are referring to in the main body.

While numbering tables and figures, make sure that you re-start the numbering for each appendix. This means that each table and figure in a new appendix would be titled Table 1 or Figure 1.

Referring to the Appendix in the Main Body of the Dissertation

It is recommended to indicate all appendices at least once in the main body of your dissertation. Make sure that you mention the appendix number (enclosed in brackets, called parenthetical reference ) or within text in the main body (called descriptive reference ) as highlights for the readers.

It is not mandatory to capitalise it as that typically depends on the researcher’s will. You can also refer to certain elements within the appendix (which can be a specific illustration or table).

Example #1. When you are referring to an entire appendix

The focus-group interview (see Appendix 1) shows that… Appendix 2 describes how we gathered data from the sample population….

Example #2. While you are referring to an appendix component

These findings (see Appendix 1, Table 2) show that… Table 2 in Appendix 1 describes the factors which result in the increase in sales.

It would be a good practice to mention Appendix in upper-case, especially when referring to a specific component. However, this is not compulsory and you can choose to use lower-case, i.e., ‘The appendices provided at the end of the documents contain relevant content about the questionnaire responses.’

Here are some more appendix examples for you .

Which is More Appropriate: Appendices or Appendixes?

Both of these words (spellings) are true in their sense and can be used, but appendices is more appropriate according to APA style. However, it is important to ensure consistency throughout the thesis document. Don’t use alternative words in different  sections of the dissertation .

Where to Include Appendices?

The general idea in this regard is to include appendices after the main body, i.e., the reference section. If you opt for this option, you need to continue with the same page number format. You can also submit appendices as a separate document with your dissertation project.

You should write down appendices (including titles and page numbers) in the table of contents.

Even if you are still unsure about what an appendix in a dissertation is, our writers can help with this chapter of your paper. All you have to do is complete our online order form , select the dissertation part/chapter as the required service type, attach your dissertation draft, and let us know your deadline. We guarantee that the writer we will assign to your order will have the expertise and qualification to create the appendices to your exact requirements.

FAQs About Appendices in Dissertation

What should i not include in a dissertation appendix.

Don’t include any irrelevant and/or vague information. It will only distract your readers from understanding your study’s overall purpose, significance, etc.

What can I include in an appendix?

You can include in it things like figures and/tables that are too lengthy to be included within the dissertation ; maps, photographs, raw data like participant score lists, computer programs like SPSS, musical examples like audios etc., interview questions and/or sample questionnaires, etc.

Can I include web URLs in an appendix?

Not really, although you can include PDF documents or weblinks to such documents within your dissertation appendix.

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Easy Guide on How to Write an Appendix

Understanding What Is an Appendix

Many students ask, 'What is an appendix in writing?'. Essentially, an appendix is a compilation of the references cited in an academic paper, prevalent in academic journals, which can be found in any academic publication, including books. Professors frequently require their students to include an appendix in their work.

Incorporating an appendix in your written piece can aid readers in comprehending the information presented. It is important to note that different professors may have varying guidelines on how to write an appendix. To learn more about how to write an appendix for a research paper according to APA, Chicago, and MLA styles, check out the following paragraphs prepared by our PRO nursing essay writing service !

Meanwhile, note that an appendix comprises all the information utilized in a paper, including references and statistics from several authors and sources (the number varies according to the type of academic paper). The purpose of the appendix is to prevent vague or irrelevant information and improve the reader's understanding of the paper.

The Purpose of an Appendix

To understand what an appendix tries to accomplish and how to write an appendix example, after all, we must first answer the key question, 'What is the purpose of an appendix?'. In short, an appendix is crucial for further explaining complex information that may be difficult to fully convey within the main text of an essay. It is intended to offer readers additional information about the topic addressed in the paper.

The material presented in an appendix has the potential to bolster the argument and sway the reader's opinion. Nonetheless, you should try to incorporate supporting material and examples toward the end of the paper to avoid disrupting the flow of the main text. Furthermore, the likelihood of including an appendix increases as a paper becomes more advanced. The use of an appendix is especially prevalent in the academic writing of a research document and journal-style scientific paper, in which extra information is usually needed to support a main point of view.

How to Structure an Appendix

While there are variations between formats, each one follows a basic structure. Thus, understanding the general structure is an essential first step in learning about this topic. No matter if you're tasked with 'how to write an appendix MLA or APA style?' - remember that both adhere to this structure, despite their differences:

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Every Appendix Should Contain:

• A clear title: The title of the appendix should be concise and descriptive, clearly indicating what information is contained within it. For example, 'Appendix A: Data Tables for Study Results or 'Appendix B: Images of Experimental Setup.'
• A list of contents: Including a table of contents in the appendix can be helpful for readers to navigate the information provided. For example:

Table of Contents:

A. Data Tables for Study Results

B. Images of Experimental Setup

C. Survey Questions and Responses

D. Sample Interview Transcripts

• Page numbers: The appendix should be a separate page, independently numbered from the main body of the paper, and specified uniformly (e.g., 'Appendix A,' 'Appendix B,' etc.). For example:

Page 1 of 5

• Relevant information: The appendix should contain all the relevant information supporting the main arguments of the document, including tables of data, raw statistical data, charts, or other documents. For example:

Figure 1: Experimental Results

[insert graph or chart here]

• Proper formatting: The appendix should be formatted in accordance with the specific requirements of the chosen citation style (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago). For example:

Appendix B: Survey Questions and Responses

[insert survey questions and responses here, formatted following APA style guidelines]

• Clear labeling: Each element should have a clear appendix label so readers can easily understand its relevance to the paper. For example:

Table 1: Demographic Characteristics of Survey Respondents

• Concise explanation: It is important to provide short detailed descriptions of each element in the Appendix so that readers can understand its importance. For example:

Appendix C: Sample Interview Transcripts

Transcripts of the three interviews with the study participants shall be included for reference. These interviews provide further insights into the experiences of participants and their views on the subject addressed in this document.

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General Appendix Format

To ensure proper formatting, it is important to understand the basics of how to structure an appendix. Although it may seem overwhelming, the basic format is relatively easy to comprehend and serves as a foundation for understanding the APA and MLA formats. Additionally, mastering the basic format can be helpful when writing an appendix for a book or dissertation.

• Heading “Appendix #” . Contains a number or letter, that could be 1 or A.
• Reference List.
• Index Table followed a list of appendices.
• Page Number.

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How to Write an Appendix in Different Styles

There are two distinct styles for creating an appendix, and it's important to familiarize yourself with both since a professor may request one or the other. Our expert writers have compiled guidelines and rules for both formats - the Appendix APA format and the Appendix MLA format. Although they share some similarities, they also have unique features and regulations that must be strictly followed.

Appendix APA

Many professors require students to write an appendix in a paper of this format. To master how to write an appendix APA format and get the structure correct, it's a good idea to follow these guidelines and rules:

The guidelines for Appendix APA:

• The appendix begins with the heading 'Appendix' followed by ABC.
• It should also be written on top of the appendix title.
• Every appendix follows the order of the stated information in the paper.
• Include the appendix after the reference list.
• Include page numbers for each appendix.
• Appendices are to have their own page, regardless of the size.
• Include Footnotes.

The general rules for Appendix APA are to be followed when writing. This is what professors look for when a paper is required when apprentices are to be written in this format. Learn the general rules to master how to write an appendix APA style and get you onto the right path to success. You may find it useful to memorize this information or keep a note of it.

Rules for APA:

• All appendices should include their own point.
• Include a title for each appendix.
• For multiple appendices, use ABC for tilting them.
• For reference within the body, include (see appendix a) after the text.
• The title should be centered.
• All appendices are to have their own page, regardless of the size.
• Paragraph One should be written without indents.
• The rest of the paragraphs should have the intended formatting.
• Include double spacing.

Whether you're tackling how to write an interview paper in APA appendix or any other type of academic work, the following example can serve as a valuable blueprint to guide you through the process.

Appendix Chicago Style

Writing an appendix Chicago style is rather similar to APA. Though, there are some minor differences. Take a look at these guidelines for this form of an appendix.

Guidelines for an Appendix Chicago Style

• More than one appendix is described as appendices.
• The font required for the appendix Chicago style is Times New Roman.
• The text size should be 12 points.
• The page numbers should be displayed on the top right of each page.
• The page numbers should also be labeled as 'Page 1,2,3'.
• Avoid including a page number on the front cover.
• The bibliography should be the final new page. It should not share a page with any other content.
• It is possible to include footnotes in the bibliography.

To better comprehend how to write an appendix in Chicago style, glance through the example below:

Appendix MLA Format

The guidelines and regulations for creating an appendix in MLA format are largely similar to those in APA format. However, there are some differences between the two, the most notable being that the MLA appendix is placed before the reference list.

The guidelines for MLA Format:

• The appendix is included before the list of references.

It may be useful to follow the example of an appendix to better understand how to write an appendix in MLA style. Doing so can increase the chances of getting a grasp of the MLA rules to fulfill the requirements of your professor on your academic paper.

Rules for MLA

• The title is to be centered.
• The list should be double-spaced.
• The first line should include each reference in the left margin. Every subsequent line is to be formatted so it's invented. This can be referred to as 'hanging indent' to make things easier.
• The reference list must be in alphabetical order. This can be done with the first letter of the title of the reference. Though, this is usually done if the writer is unknown. If the writer is known, you can also use the first letter of the surname.
• If you include the name of the known writer, use this order. SURNAME, FIRST NAME, YEAR.
• Italic fonts are required for the titles of complete writings, internet sites, books, and recordings.
• It is important not to use an italic font on reference titles that only refer to the part of a source. This includes poetry, short papers, tabloids, sections of a PDF, and scholarly entries.

Before we conclude, let's dive deeper into the world of appendix writing by exploring an example of how to write an appendix MLA style.

Let's wrap this up! It's safe to say that following the APA, Chicago, and MLA formats is crucial when crafting an appendix. As we've seen, starting with an APA appendix example can help ease you in mastering how to write an appendix of paper. Once you have a handle on the precise formats and guidelines, creating an appendix becomes a piece of cake. Also, memorizing the format can help you whip up accurate appendices for any type of paper, whether an essay or a dissertation. Trust us, mastering this topic is a must if you want to excel in knowing how to write an appendix in a report or any other academic work.

Moreover, if you ever find yourself in need of additional academic assistance, be sure to check out our resources on how to write an article review . Or, better yet, why not let us handle your most challenging tasks with ease by simply sending us a ' write my paper request? We are here to support you every step of the way.

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What Is An Appendix In Writing?

What is the purpose of an appendix, how to format an appendix.

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is a seasoned educational writer focusing on scholarship guidance, research papers, and various forms of academic essays including reflective and narrative essays. His expertise also extends to detailed case studies. A scholar with a background in English Literature and Education, Daniel’s work on EssayPro blog aims to support students in achieving academic excellence and securing scholarships. His hobbies include reading classic literature and participating in academic forums.

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Appendix In A Paper: Complete Guide To Writing

In many cases, you will be required to create an appendix for your academic papers. The word “appendix” or “appendices” (yes, you can have more than one) usually scares students of all ages. So, let’s see exactly what is an appendix in a paper and how you write one. Writing an appendix in a paper is definitely not difficult, but you need to pay attention to a lot of minor details. Another very important thing that we will be discussing is how to cite an appendix. Why? Because simply learning how to put an appendix in a paper is not enough. You need to know how to use it effectively. And remember, you must also know the appendix meaning in the research paper.

The Role Of The Appendix In A Paper

Before you learn what an appendix in a paper is, you need to understand the role of this section. In most cases, you will be writing an APA paper appendix, but it doesn’t really matter. Appendices are basically the same – only their format differs slightly. The role of an appendix in APA paper is to include information that would be too detailed and complex to include in the body of the essay. That section is created with the sole purpose of avoiding bombarding the readers with too much information. It helps you focus on the topic and avoid explaining everything in the body of the essay.

What Is An Appendix In A Paper: Simple Definition

Now that you know the role of an appendix let’s see what is an appendix in a research paper. As we ’ ve mentioned before, it is just a section at the end of the paper that includes some information that is too long and complex to include in the body of the essay. The appendix paper APA is there to basically avoid distracting the attention of your readers from the important parts of your research. The appendix research paper is located near the end of the essay, right before the Footnotes section (if you have this section, of course). Let’s take an example. You are discussing a topic like “Nanotechnology in medicine,” and you reach a point where some technical information about nanovesicles is required. Instead of writing an entire – complex – section about nanovesicles, you include all the relevant information in an appendix. You then just reference the appendix in the paper. Simple and effective!

Creating Appendix In A Paper

The appendix of a paper is not difficult to create. However, you must understand precisely what’s an appendix in a paper. Here is how you create an appendix in the paper:

• To start an appendix in research paper, you write the appendix label on a new page (with page number). The label is “Appendix A,” Appendix B,” “Appendix C,” and so on. The label must be centered.
• The next step to create an appendix for paper is to write a title for the appendix. The title goes below the label and should be centered. For example: “The List of Countries In Europe That Have the Largest Female Population.”
• Write the first paragraph of the appendix without any indent and flushed left.
• Write the following paragraphs formatted normally, indented.

That’s it! Your appendix is ready. Still wondering what does an appendix look like in a paper? Here is a quick example:

Appendix A (the label, centered)

The List of Countries in Europe That Have the Largest Female Population (the title, centered)

The first paragraph goes here. (flush left without any indent).

The second paragraph goes here (normal indent and standard formatting).

The third paragraph…and so on.

Learning How To Cite An Appendix

Now you know how to create a research paper appendix. But do you know how to reference an appendix in the paper? It’s pretty simple, actually. You just refer to the appendix in the text by writing “(see Appendix A)” at the end of the sentence where the information is needed. Here is an example:

“Spain has the third largest female population in Europe (see Appendix A).”

And that is how you reference a paper appendix. Remember that you can have as many appendices as you need. If you have more than 26 of them, you will need to start the alphabet over with two letters (AA, BB, CC, etc.). For example, Appendix 27 will be labeled “Appendix AA.”

Some Useful Tips For Writing Appendix

You may know how to make an appendix for a paper, but do you know how to avoid making mistakes in the process? Unless you decide to get help of our professional writers , follow one simple rule – when you make an appendix for a paper, you must always have a label and a title for it. Also, each appendix goes on a separate page. If you have just one appendix, it will be labeled “Appendix” and referenced with “(see Appendix).” The last tip is very important: each one of your appendices must discuss a separate topic. Don’t write two appendices that deal with the same thing or you will get penalized. And remember, you can include any information from outside sources in appendices, as long as you cite it parenthetically and include it in the References section of the essay. And no, you don’t have to write a new References section for the appendices. Good luck!

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Graduate College Formatting Guide

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Thesis & Dissertation Reviewer

Thesis and Dissertation Manual

• Thesis & Dissertation Manual Thesis and Dissertation Manual outlining Graduate College requirements.

The Graduate College formatting requirements have changed as of Fall 2022. If you began working using the old formatting requirements, please contact [email protected] for assistance. Do not use prior theses or dissertations as a guide for formatting, there are templates located in this guide.

Blackboard Learn site

If you prefer to learn through video, our Blackboard Learn site has formatting guides in that style. Check them out here:  https://uni.blackboard.com/ultra/organizations/_125711_1/cl/outline

Important Dates

Note: These dates are based on the academic calendar and are subject to change with calendar or policy updates.

Spring 2024 Deadlines

March 29, 2024: Review Deadline 

April 1, 2024: Application for spring graduation due through Student Center*

April 29, 2024: Submission due in to the Graduate College in order to be eligible for spring graduation.

May 9, 2024: final day students can apply for graduation (with a late fee) all applications received after this date will be considered for a future term.

* For more information about graduation or degree conferral and participation in commencement please visit the Registrar's Graduation and Commencement Page on  https://registrar.uni.edu

Summer 2024 Deadlines

June 14, 2024: Review Deadline 

July 1, 2024: Application for summer graduation due through Student Center*

July 31, 2024: Submission due in to the Graduate College in order to be eligible for summer graduation.

August 2, 2024: final day students can apply for graduation (with a late fee) all applications received after this date will be considered for a future term.

Fall 2024 Deadlines

November 8, 2024: Review Deadline

November 10, 2024: Application due for fall graduation*

December 8, 2024: Submission due in to the Graduate College in order to be eligible for spring graduation.

December 19, 2024: final day students can apply for graduation (with a late fee) all applications received after this date will be considered for a future term.

Committee Appointment Form   (find one applicable to degree type)

Committee appointment forms should be submitted as soon as a committee has been formed. They must be submitted before a work can be submitted for review.

Final Approval Form (find one applicable to degree type)

Once the student successfully defends their work, an approval form should be submitted. This is an electronic form that will workflow to the committee chair and any other required approvers. Students  will not  receive notification of approval until after the Graduate College completes the final check and remaining steps are completed. Students should submit their electronic copy to [email protected] as soon as this is submitted (not approved).

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Submitting your thesis to ORA: Separate appendix

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This page contains guidelines on creating a separate appendix for your thesis, which can simplify the process of restricting access to sensitive or copyrighted material.

Creating a separate appendix

These guidelines are designed to simplify the process of restricting access to sensitive material whilst enabling the remainder of your thesis to be read by other researchers. Copyright and sensitive material can be segregated into a separate restricted appendix, and the main body of the work made freely available.

Access to content in a thesis is necessary in the research ethics context because there might be material in the thesis which could be identified as data from, or description of, an individual participant who had not given consent to such information being made publicly available. 

Note that all versions of your thesis must match in form.

• Try to obtain permission wherever possible to include 3 rd  party copyright material in the online version of your thesis whilst gathering material, rather than waiting until you deposit your thesis. 
• Be vigilant for sensitive or copyright content when writing up your thesis and to which access should be restricted. More details are available  here . Ask your supervisor or  Research Services  if you are unsure whether or not material is sensitive.
• Sensitive and uncleared copyright content can be separated from the main body of the thesis into a separate appendix. You can do this either when writing up your thesis or after all examinations and viva commitments have been fulfilled and passed. Write your thesis as you need to to satisfy the examiners.
• Reference should be made to content in the appendix at appropriate points in the text.
• Include a clear statement in the front matter of your thesis (eg. table of contents) and at the start of the appendix about the restricted content you have placed in the appendix (see suggested wording below).
• Make sure you include your name, title of the thesis and date of the thesis in the separate appendix (for example, as a heading or header)
• If there is so much sensitive or copyright material that it is impractical to separate it or it will render the remainder unintelligible, you may prefer to apply for dispensation from consultation for the entire thesis.
• Students following D.Phil., M.Litt. and M.Sc.(by Research) programmes are required to apply for dispensation from consultation for formal permission to restrict access to the appendix
• There may be content that can be included in the print thesis, but not in the freely available digital thesis (for example third party copyright material where permission has not been granted for distribution via the Internet). The copies should be identical unless there is very good reason to the contrary. The entire print version including the integral appendix can then be consulted in the Bodleian, whilst the appendix in the digital version will remain inaccessible.
• Use form  GSO3C  to apply for dispensation from consultation for the appendix. 

Depositing your thesis

You should remember to:

• Deliver the print copy of your thesis together with the appendix (either integral or separate) to the Examination Schools. Where necessary the appendix can be separately bound and restricted (with permission via form GSO3c).
• Deposit the digital copy of your thesis in ORA. The appendix containing sensitive and/or copyright material should comprise a separate file to the main body of the thesis. Indicate on the ORA deposit form the nature of the embargo and the date when the restricted appendix can be made available (i.e. the date for removal of restriction of the item with the latest restriction date).

Suggested wording

Suggested wording for inclusion in the front matter of the thesis (eg table of contents)

• Appendix [A]: [the digital version of] this appendix is not available for public consultation ‘until [date]’ or ‘in perpertuity’
• Sections of this thesis are not available for public consultation [online]. Restricted [digital] material is held in Appendix A which is not available for consultation ‘until [date]’ or ‘in perpertuity’

Suggested wording for inclusion at the start of the appendix

• Appendix [A] is not available for consultation until [date] or ‘in perpertuity’

Oxford Research Archive (ORA)

ORA (Oxford University Research Archive)   is the institutional repository for the University of Oxford and is home to the scholarly output of its research members. 

Contact us at:  [email protected] , or via our contact form .

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Dissertation Appendix – Components, Format & Examples

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An appendix is an integral part of every dissertation paper, serving as supplementary material that enhances and supports the research study. However, only a few people understand what the section is, where it must be placed, and why it must be included in a dissertation . Therefore, while not typically central to the dissertation’s argument, the appendix adds valuable context and transparency to the academic work. This post will cover everything there is to know about a dissertation appendix, from its definition and purpose to the components and format.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

• 1 Dissertation Appendix – In a Nutshell
• 2 Definition: Dissertation appendix
• 3 Purpose of a dissertation appendix
• 4 Dissertation appendix: Components
• 5 Dissertation appendix: Format
• 6 Referring to a dissertation appendix
• 7 Dissertation Appendix: Checklist

Dissertation Appendix – In a Nutshell

• An appendix is not part of the main body of the dissertation, but is still relevant to it.
• A dissertation appendix encapsulates all explanations that cannot be included in the main body of the dissertation.
• Appendices must be well-structured, and their components systemically organized to serve their purpose correctly.

Definition: Dissertation appendix

A dissertation appendix (plural –appendices) is an index at the end of a dissertation that provides additional information related to the dissertation paper. The section helps academic writers present background information related to the dissertation, but doesn’t directly answer the research question. These can include tables, illustrations and other graphics.

Purpose of a dissertation appendix

The primary purpose of a dissertation appendix is to help keep your dissertation paper organized and within the required word limit. It contains any additional information that isn’t directly relevant to the research topic.

Typically, texts that strengthen your arguments appear in your dissertation paper’s main body. However, there is additional information that isn’t directly beneficial to your research but might be helpful to your readers. That is where a dissertation appendix comes in.

Although they provide additional information, your audience should be able to understand the contents of your dissertation paper even without looking at the dissertation appendix. So, ensure you include all important texts in the main body.

Dissertation appendix: Components

A dissertation appendix can include different types of information, such as:

Research results can be presented in various ways, including tables and figures. However, not all of these findings need to appear in the main body of your dissertation. Only results that are essential in answering the research topic should be included in the paper. Additional results (less significant findings), such as raw data and supplemental analyses, should go into the dissertation appendix.

Further information

Besides supplementary results, additional information related to surveys and interviews can be included in a dissertation appendix. These can include types of interviews, interview transcripts, survey questions, and details of questionnaires. Although these details are not critical to answering your research question, including them in the dissertation appendix gives credibility to your research.

Copies of relevant forms 

It is essential to include a list of abbreviations and acronyms and a glossary in the appendix if your dissertation paper contains many words that your audience might not recognize. This helps enhance readability and minimize confusion for readers. Your list of abbreviations and acronyms, and glossary should appear after the table of contents section.

Figures, tables, graphics

You can also include tables, figures, illustrations, and other graphics in the dissertation appendix if your research contains a lot of them. The appendix is the appropriate platform to include less important ones. Use tables and figures that support your research question but cannot be included in the main body.

Dissertation appendix: Format

There is no restriction to how you can format your dissertation appendix. You can opt to have one long appendix if you don’t feel the need to break it into smaller sections with different components. However, it might be a good idea to separate the components (such as interview transcripts and supplementary results) into various appendices to enhance readability.

If you choose to have multiple appendices in your dissertation, always start each appendix on a new page. Additionally, ensure you assign each page a number or letter. For instance, you can use ‘Appendix 2 – Interview Transcripts.’ Giving a unique identifier (number and title of each element) to each appendix makes it easier for the reader to navigate through the information and for you to refer to it in the main dissertation body.

When numbering tables and figures in multiple appendices, you should reset the numbering as you move to the next appendix (next page). For instance, if your ‘Appendix 1 –Raw Data’ has two tables and ‘Appendix 2 – Interview Transcripts’ has one table, the table in ‘Appendix 2’ should be ‘Table 1’ and not ‘Table 3’ .

Referring to a dissertation appendix

It is crucial to refer to each dissertation appendix at least once when crafting the dissertation’s main body. That helps justify the inclusion of appendices in your study.

There are two primary ways you can refer to a dissertation appendix in the main body:

• Refer to an entire appendix

“The interview transcripts can be found in Appendix 1 –Interview Transcripts”.

• Refer to an appendix component

There are two ways you can refer to an appendix component:

• Refer to specific figures or tables in brackets (parenthetical reference). For example, “The results (refer to Table 1 Appendix 3) indicate a slight decline in the number of new infections”.
• Include the reference in a sentence within the main body (descriptive reference). For example, “As shown in Table 1 of Appendix 3, there is a slight decline in the number of new infections” .

If your paper has one long dissertation appendix, it is good practice to refer to its components in uppercase, but it is not mandatory. However, it is important to maintain consistency throughout your entire paper, the same way you capitalize your headings and titles in academic work.

Although you are free to choose what case to use, you should always use lower-case when referring to appendices in general.

“The appendices at the end of this paper contain additional information about the area of research.”

Dissertation Appendix: Checklist

• Each dissertation appendix starts on a fresh page
• My appendices contain relevant information, but they are not essential in answering my research question
• I have referred to each of my appendices at least once in the main body
• The content of my appendices (tables and figures) are clearly labelled
• My appendices are easy to understand and refer to

What is a dissertation appendix?

A dissertation appendix is a section of your dissertation that you use to provide additional data related to your main study but is not essential to answering the primary research question.

What should I include in my appendix?

Your appendix should contain additional information relevant to the dissertation but not directly important to answering your main questions. These can include supplementary results, tables, interview questions and transcripts.

Do I need an appendix in my dissertation?

If you have a lot of additional information, it is important to have an appendix in your dissertation. Appendices help provide readers with details that support your research without breaking the flow of the main body.

Can my dissertation paper have multiple appendices?

Yes. Your dissertation paper can have more than one appendix. Ensure you properly label each appendix (Appendix A or Appendix 1) if your paper has multiple appendices.

Is it appendices or appendixes?

Appendices and appendixes are both correct plurals for the term appendix. However, many scholars prefer using ‘appendices’ over ‘appendixes.’

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