When writing a comprehensive research paper, you may find that certain information, data, or supplementary materials don’t quite fit into the main body of your text. That’s where an appendix comes in handy. An appendix may contain tables and figures, detailed data, or other supporting information that’s too lengthy or complex for the main text.

When referring to this additional material, use an in-text citation like “(see Appendix)” to direct readers. In APA style, if you have only one appendix, simply label it “Appendix” without a letter or number. Include the appendix in your table of contents for easy navigation.

Remember, each item in the appendix should be cited properly, following APA citation guidelines. Whether you have one appendix or multiple, ensure that all supplementary materials enhance your research paper without cluttering the main text.

What is an appendix in a research paper?

An appendix is a section at the end of a research paper that includes supplementary information relevant to your study but optional to the main narrative. Appendices allow you to provide additional context, data, or materials without cluttering up the primary sections of your paper.

What to include in an appendix

Typical items that may appear in an appendix for a research paper include:

  • Raw data, survey instruments, or other primary source materials
  • Detailed explanations of specialized terminology or equations
  • Large tables, charts, figures, or images that support your findings
  • Interview transcripts or other qualitative data
  • Supplementary analyses or statistical tests
  • Copies of informed consent forms, ethics approval, or other administrative documents

How to format an appendix

When formatting your appendices, organizing them into separate sections rather than a single, lengthy appendix is often helpful. This makes the information more accessible and easier for your reader to navigate.

Follow these guidelines to format the appendix(ces) for your research paper:

  • Clearly label each appendix with a letter or number and a descriptive title that captures the content, such as “Appendix A: Survey Questions.”
  • Maintain consistent formatting throughout the appendix, using the same font style and size as the rest of your paper. 
  • If your appendix contains tables or figures, label them distinctly from those in the main body of your paper. For instance, “Table A1” for a table in Appendix A.
  • If you have multiple appendices, include a separate cover page for each, using the appropriate letter or number to distinguish them.

Applying these formatting best practices will ensure your appendices are well-organized and easily navigable for your reader.

How to refer to an appendix

When you must direct the reader to information in an appendix, use clear, consistent language. For example:

  • The detailed survey questions can be found in Appendix B.
  • Additional descriptive statistics are provided in Appendix C, Table C.1.
  • As shown in the scatter plot in Appendix D, there is a positive correlation between the two variables.

Where to put your appendices

Appendices should always be placed at the end of your research paper, following your reference list. This ensures they don’t interrupt the flow of your main argument.

Other components to consider

In addition to the appendix content, there are a few other supplementary components you may want to consider including in your research paper. These additional components relevant to your specific research can enhance your appendices’ overall clarity and comprehensiveness.

  • List of abbreviations: If you’ve used many abbreviated terms or field-specific symbols throughout your paper, providing a consolidated list can aid reader understanding.
  • Glossary: Similarly, a glossary can be helpful if your work involves a lot of specialized or technical language. Defining these key terms in a dedicated section makes it easy for the reader to refer back to them.
  • Tables, figures, or graphics: If your paper contains many tables, figures, or other graphics that don’t neatly fit into the main body, you may include a separate list or compilation of these supplementary visual elements. This further organizes your supporting materials for the reader’s convenience.

Appendix checklist

When preparing your research paper appendices, use this handy checklist to ensure you’ve covered all the bases:

  • Each appendix should only include information that supplements the main text without being essential to its understanding.
  • Begin each appendix on a separate page for clarity and organization.
  • Assign a number and a clear, descriptive title to each appendix.
  • If an appendix contains sub-components such as tables or figures, provide them with their own numbers and titles for easy reference.
  • Ensure your appendices are well-organized, clearly formatted, and easy to navigate.
  • Include at least one reference to each appendix in the main text to establish its relevance to the overall work.