List of tables and figures – UGC NET Question

A list of tables and figures is placed near the beginning of a thesis and shows the titles and page numbers of each table and figure used in the document. It helps readers quickly locate specific visual displays of data or diagrams without scanning the full text. This list is particularly important in lengthy research reports. Because the stem refers to a preliminary section indicating page-wise positions of tables or figures, list of tables and figures is the correct answer.

Option A:
Bibliography, or sometimes references, lists the sources consulted or cited in the thesis and is usually placed at the end, not at the beginning. It does not show the page numbers of tables and figures but of books and articles. Therefore, bibliography is not the appropriate term here.

Option B:
The list of tables and figures provides an organised overview of the visual elements of the thesis, mirroring the function of the table of contents for chapters. It improves navigability for readers who may need to refer directly to specific data displays. This matches the description in the stem, so this option is accurate.

Option C:
Acknowledgements is a brief section where the researcher expresses gratitude to individuals or institutions that supported the work. It does not systematically list tables or figures, and its purpose is more personal than organisational. Hence, acknowledgements is not the correct completion.

Option D:
A glossary is a list of key terms and their definitions used in the thesis, often placed near the end. While helpful for clarity, it is unrelated to locating tables or figures by page number. As a result, glossary does not fit the stem.