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What's In this Guide?
- First, try to assess what types of images are appropriate for your project.
- Use images from reputable sources such as image databases, digital collections, books, periodicals, archives, and some websites, to increase your chances of finding accurate and complete identifying information.
- When searching, experiment with various keywords and different ways to expand or filter searches. Try browsing content using the categories provided.
- Whenever possible, try to track down the "original" source of an image.
- Citing images is not an exact science: usually, there isn't one "correct" way to cite an image.
- At a minimum, a caption next to the image should identify or describe the image and include its source.
- A citation in a note or a bibliography should contain enough information as needed to find the image.
- Student research papers are expected to have both captions and citations. Other projects may require only a caption or a citation.
- Sharing images with Canvas, Google Drive, or student e-portfolios, with viewing limited to the campus community, is generally permitted under fair use guidelines.
- Images that are published publicly are subject to greater scrutiny. Terms of Use must be followed when using and crediting these images.
- When posting online, use tools to embed images, or link images back to their original sources.