Annexes (What they are, Characteristics and Meanings)

Annexes

What are Annexes:

Annexes are all the contents that are added at the end of a research work to expand the information presented, but without being essential for understanding the phenomenon studied.

Although the annexes constitute a complement to the research, their inclusion is considered an added value, since they provide relevant data that are not mentioned in the body of the work.

The annexes must be understood independently of the investigation, in such a way that if they are extracted it can be clearly understood what they are about, as a separate document.

Types of annexes

Although the annexes are usually part of a written work, they can be presented in other supports in addition to text. These are some examples:

Maps

They are very useful to supplement historical, demographic or geographic information. However, the use of maps is not limited to these areas as they can also be used to represent fictitious areas.

For example, in a research paper on JR R Tolkien's books, maps can be used to explain the geographical details of Middle-earth, a fictional continent created by the author and on which most of his work takes place.

Photographs

Help provide a visual context in investigations that require it. In medical research that wants to demonstrate the evolution of a clinical condition, photographs are a well-used resource.

Generally speaking, photographs provide qualitative information that cannot be fully described through text.

Diagrams

The diagrams serve to understand the different relationships that are established between a group of elements, therefore, they can be a didactic resource if they are incorporated in the annexes of an investigation.

In a work on computer science or business management, a flow chart can illustrate the execution of a process in each of its phases.

Infographics

Infographics allow complex processes to be explained through the combination of images and text. Today, they are a widely used tool in data visualization, because they allow complex figures or hard data to be understood by the general public.

In macroeconomic or historical reports that require a visual synthesis, infographics are a very valuable resource.

Graphics

Graphics are used to understand relationships between qualitative data, hence it is one of the most popular formats for presenting annexes.

A very common example is bar charts that are commonly used to display survey results.

Glossary

A glossary in a list of the terms used in the investigation. This list, which is structured in alphabetical order, only makes sense if the terminology belongs to a very specific area of ​​knowledge, and its inclusion helps to better understand the phenomenon in question.

Although they can be used in many types of documents, it is common to include glossaries in scientific and technical research.

If the terms are defined in the body of the document when they are first mentioned, a glossary should not be included as an annex.

How to make an annex

Although the annexes are not mandatory and only complement the research work, certain rules must be followed to incorporate them into the rest of the document:

  • The images or resources used must appear in the same order in which they are mentioned in the document.
  • If the investigation is very extensive, the annexes can be arranged by chapters.
  • Each visual resource must be properly presented (Example 1, Figure 1, etc.) and must correspond to what is mentioned in the body of the work.
  • The annexes must have the same methodological standards as the body of the research (line spacing, typography, margins, etc.).
  • Each page of the annexes must be numbered, and they must be included in the index.

Annexes in medicine

In medicine, those that secrete fluids and are, for the most part, glands, are called adnexal organs. They are present in three systems:

  • Digestive system : salivary glands, liver and pancreas.
  • ystem female reproductive : mammary glands, Skene glands (producing secretions female ejaculation) and Bartolini glands (responsible for external lubrication).
  • Male reproductive system : bulbourethral glands, responsible for neutralizing urine waste and synthesizing the liquid that will later become semen.

Annexes in construction

In construction, annexes are all buildings or spaces that are added to a work already completed.

Generally, annexes are created as a response to the lack of space in the original building, hence it is common for hospitals and educational institutions to build annexes after a certain time to increase the capacity of care.

On a smaller scale, it is possible to find annexes in multi-family homes as a way to make the use of space more efficient.

    • Update date: March 9, 2021.

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