Photos in research paper

A topically related USC Libraries guide is Organizing Research for Arts and Humanities Papers and Theses. The Visual Resources Association (VRA) in its statement on fair use of images for teaching, research and study notes that use of images in scholarship is fundamental to the advancement of collective knowledge.

If you plan to use this photograph in a publication, seek permission from the library/institution from whose digital archive you downloaded the image. Contact information is usually found in the record for the image. The image below was taken by the author.

There are many good reasons to use images for your academic writing. However, most students avoid it, losing their chance to make their papers more interesting. Often, scholars don’t know that a picture or graphic can be used in their essay, thesis or research papers.

Reasonable use of images and media in teaching, course papers, and graduate theses/dissertations is generally covered by fair use. Researchers are expected to document each image (including their own) and its provenance/source to the best of their abilities.