Yes, images can appear in a literature review when they clarify methods, synthesize results, or document selection flow, with captions and permissions.
Writers use images, charts, and diagrams to compress dense ideas into something a reader can scan in seconds. In a review of prior work, smart visuals can surface patterns across studies, illustrate a model that many authors reference, or show how the search and screening progressed. This guide shows when visuals help, which types work best, and the formatting and permission steps that keep your paper clean and citable.
When A Visual Actually Helps
Use a visual when text alone makes readers work too hard. If a paragraph lists ten studies with sample sizes, measures, and outcomes, a compact table or a small chart beats a wall of prose. If several sources use the same conceptual model, a diagram can anchor your summary. If you completed a structured search with explicit inclusion rules, a flow figure gives readers confidence that your screening was transparent.
What you add should serve a single purpose: reduce cognitive load. If an image does not add clarity, skip it and keep your narrative tight.
Common Visuals For Reviews
The items below show typical choices that fit well in a review-driven paper. Pick what communicates the point in the fewest steps.
| Visual Type | Best Use | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Summary Table | Line up study features, measures, and outcomes | Keep rows lean; add a brief title and a tight note |
| Concept Diagram | Show relationships among variables or constructs | Label arrows; match terminology used across sources |
| Flow Figure | Document search, screening, and inclusion counts | Use a PRISMA-style layout for transparent reporting |
| Small Bar/Line Plot | Compare effect sizes or counts across categories | Limit categories; annotate axes clearly |
| Map | Show study locations or data coverage | Use clear legends and readable contrast |
| Photo Or Screenshot | Document instruments, tasks, or stimuli used widely | Check permissions; add a source credit in the caption |
Style Guides On Tables And Figures
Major guides treat visuals as tools to deliver content efficiently. APA groups non-table visuals under “figures” and asks for standard parts such as a figure number, an italic title, and a caption that explains the takeaway. See the official APA figure setup for the full component list and placement guidance. Many writing centers echo the same principle: a figure or table should help readers grasp information faster, and your text should cue why it’s present. The UNC Writing Center’s page on figures and charts is a handy checklist for titles and commentary that steer readers. These sources align on one theme: visuals exist to serve the reader, not to decorate a page.
Should Images Appear In A Literature Review? Practical Rules
Yes—when they compress multi-study details, depict a widely cited model, or make your method transparent. Below are rules that keep visuals helpful and ad-safe.
- Give Each Visual A Job: If readers can understand your point without it, skip it.
- Place Near The First Mention: Keep context tight so readers don’t hunt for relevance.
- Use Consistent Labels: Terms in the image should match terms in your text and tables.
- Write A Caption That States The Takeaway: Tell readers what the visual shows in one clear line.
- Mind Accessibility: Use alt text, readable fonts, and contrast that works in grayscale.
Formatting Basics That Editors Expect
Regardless of journal or department, readers expect the same scaffolding: numbers, titles, and captions. In APA style, figures carry a bold number above the visual, a short italic title, and a caption that can include notes, abbreviations, or credits. Tables have a number and title above, with notes below. Purdue OWL’s guide on tables and figures walks through these elements in plain terms. Keep file sizes lean, align decimals in numeric columns, and avoid heavy color where simple labels work.
When A Flow Figure Is Expected
Systematic work uses a screening diagram so readers can trace records from search to inclusion. The PRISMA flow diagram lays out counts at each stage and reasons for exclusions. Many journals ask for this layout, and the PRISMA team provides templates. If your review is narrative rather than systematic, you can skip a PRISMA figure, yet a small schematic of sources or scope can still help readers see breadth and limits.
What To Caption And Where To Place Credits
Captions should be concise and informative. Include the point of the visual and, if relevant, a brief note on data range or included studies. If you reused or adapted an image, credit the source and state the license or permission status in the caption or a note under the figure. Keep numbering sequential so cross-references in text stay simple.
Copyright, Fair Use, And Permissions
Two paths exist: you own the visual (original table, chart from your synthesis, a diagram you drew), or you reuse/adapt someone else’s work. Original visuals are straightforward; you control them. Reuse needs a legal and ethical check. U.S. law allows limited reuse under fair use when the purpose is scholarly commentary and the amount used is reasonable, yet many publishers still ask for written permission for images like artwork, photographs, and branded figures. University libraries offer practical guides; see Georgetown’s overview on using images in publications for common scenarios and costs. When in doubt, contact the rights holder early or replace the asset with your own redraw that cites the original idea.
How To Decide Between Table, Figure, Or Text
Pick the form that answers a reader’s question with the least effort. If you need to compare four to eight items across two or three attributes, a table is ideal. If the story is change or distribution, a chart wins. If the goal is process or relationship, a diagram fits. If the point is a concrete artifact (a survey page, a lab setup), a photo or screenshot may be best. The wrong choice adds friction; the right choice speeds comprehension.
Quick Tests For A Good Choice
- Can a reader grasp the main point in five seconds?
- Does the visual remove at least one full paragraph of text?
- Is every element necessary and labeled in plain terms?
Integrating Visuals Into Your Narrative
Visuals should never float without cues. Introduce each one in the sentence just before it. Tell readers what they should notice, then let the caption reinforce that same point. After the visual, add one line that ties it back to your argument. This pattern—cue, show, tie-back—keeps pacing smooth and prevents orphaned images.
Ethics For Photos And Screenshots
Photos of people and proprietary interfaces need extra care. Blur personal data, remove brand identifiers when licenses require it, and store signed consent if a person could be recognized. If your image displays a paywalled figure, replace it with an original redraw that communicates the same concept but avoids copying layout and styling. Keep a permissions log with dates and email trails so you can respond fast if a publisher asks.
Accessibility Checks That Take Minutes
Every reader should be able to get the message, with or without color cues. Provide alt text that states the point, not every pixel. Use patterns or labels in charts, not color alone. Keep font sizes readable at typical column widths. If a figure includes abbreviations, define them in a note below.
Editorial Flow That Keeps Ads Happy
Clean structure helps readers and boosts readability metrics that ad partners watch. Place your first visual after the opening answer and early context. Break longer paragraphs near image blocks so the eye gets a rest, but keep sentences crisp. Avoid giant hero images above the first screen; text should lead. If you include a printable checklist or a compact “all data in one spot” table, place it near the end so readers naturally scroll.
Mini-Workflow For Visuals In A Review
- Outline the argument and mark spots where a visual saves space.
- Draft the table or figure with only the elements that carry meaning.
- Write the caption first to keep the purpose sharp.
- Place the visual near the first mention and number it in order.
- Run a permissions check for any reused asset and log the result.
- Add alt text and a short note on abbreviations or data ranges.
- Proof at phone width to confirm readability and tap targets.
Examples Of Strong Use Cases
Method Comparison Table
When multiple studies measure the same outcome with different instruments, a compact table can list instrument name, sample, and reliability. Readers can scan and link that to your narrative about convergence or spread.
Concept Model Diagram
If authors across decades reference a common model, draw it once with clean labels. Then you can cite specific arcs of that model while comparing how studies operationalize each part.
Screening Flow Figure
When the process includes database searches, duplicate removal, and stage-wise screening, add a PRISMA-style figure so anyone can trace counts. Templates and an explainer live on the PRISMA site and the BMJ walkthrough of PRISMA 2020.
What To Put In Captions
Keep captions short and direct. State the claim, list key notes, and include credits or licenses when needed. If a color palette conveys meaning, say so. If a scale matters, report units.
| Caption Element | Purpose | Example Snippet |
|---|---|---|
| Figure/Table Number | Lets readers cite and cross-reference | Figure 2. Outcome Map |
| Brief Title | Names what the visual shows | Study Features By Design |
| Takeaway Line | Tells readers why the visual matters | Randomized trials report tighter ranges |
| Notes | Clarifies abbreviations or data range | n=48; CI at 95% |
| Credit/License | Shows reuse or adaptation status | Adapted from Smith et al., CC BY 4.0 |
Permission Steps Without Headaches
Reach out early if you need to reuse an image or a branded diagram. Many rights holders reply in a few days, yet journals often need proof on submission. Keep your request short, describe the use, include a low-res preview, and offer a credit line. If the reply is slow or denied, switch to an original redraw and cite the source you summarized. A short log in your notes app is enough to track requests, dates, and outcomes.
Common Pitfalls To Avoid
- Decorative Filler: Don’t add stock images that repeat ideas already clear in text.
- Legend Overload: Too many labels in a tiny space slow readers down.
- Color-Only Meaning: Add labels or patterns so black-and-white prints still work.
- Font Soup: Use one font family and consistent sizing across visuals.
- Missing Credits: Always state when a figure is adapted or reused.
Checklist Before You Submit
- Every visual has a single, clear purpose.
- Numbering, titles, and captions follow the target guide.
- All reused items have permission or a defensible fair-use rationale.
- Alt text and notes make the content readable to all audiences.
- Images load fast and remain legible on a phone screen.
One-Page Template You Can Reuse
Copy this mini-template into your draft and replace the brackets:
Figure X. [Short Title] [One-sentence takeaway.] Note. [Data span, abbreviations, credit: “Adapted from Doe 2022, CC BY 4.0” or “Reproduced with permission.”]
Bottom Line
Images belong in a review when they do real work: condense multi-study facts, display a common model, or reveal process steps. Give each visual a job, follow the style rules, and clear rights when you reuse. Do that, and your review reads smoother, earns trust, and helps readers decide faster.