How to Format a Literature Review?

A literature review format is a structured way to present journal articles on a specific topic. It synthesizes previous studies, identifies key themes, gaps, inconsistencies, and provides context for your research question. A well-structured literature review demonstrates your knowledge of the field and highlights the relevance of your research.

When writing a literature review as a full research paper, the general structure of a literature review includes several key components. These key components can also be adapted to suit literature reviews that are written as a sub-section within a broader empirical study. The title page contains the title of your paper, your name, and your institution. The abstract is a concise summary of the review, including the research question, methods, and conclusions, typically 150-250 words. The introduction provides an overview of the topic, the research question, and the significance of the review. The body of the review is the main content, organized thematically, chronologically, or methodologically. The conclusion summarizes the main findings, discusses implications, and suggests future research. Finally, the references, bibliography, or annotated bibliography lists all sources cited in the review.

What are the different kinds of formats and when are they used?

The most common formats for literature reviews are APA and MLA. APA is widely used in the social sciences, while MLA is popular in the humanities. Other formats include Chicago/Turabian, used in history and business; Harvard, prevalent in the UK and Australia for humanities and social sciences; Vancouver, common in medical and scientific papers; and IEEE, used in engineering and computer science. Each format has specific guidelines for organizing and citing sources.

APA format

APA format is widely used in the social sciences, including psychology, education, and sociology. Here are some key elements of APA format:

• Title page: Includes the title, author’s name, and institutional affiliation.
• Abstract: A brief summary of the review’s purpose, methodology, and findings.
• Introduction: Introduces the research question and provides context.
• Body: Organized using headings and subheadings to structure the review logically.
• Conclusion: Summarizes key findings and suggests future research directions.
• References: Lists all cited sources in alphabetical order, following APA citation guidelines.

MLA format

MLA format is commonly used in the humanities, including literature, philosophy, and cultural studies. Here are the key elements of MLA format:

• Title page: Typically not required. Instead, include your name and date on the first page.
• Header: Includes your last name and page number, aligned to the right.
• Title: Centered on the first page without any special formatting.
  -Introduction: Provides background information and states the research question.
• Body: Uses section headings to organize the review.
• Conclusion: Summarizes the main points and discusses implications.
• Works cited: Lists all sources in alphabetical order, following MLA citation guidelines.

Chicago/Turabian format

The Chicago Manual of Style (CMS) and its student-friendly version, Turabian, are often used in history, business, and fine arts disciplines. This format is known for its flexibility and thoroughness. It provides detailed guidelines for various types of sources. A Chicago/Turabian formatted paper typically includes a title page with the title, author’s name, course, and date. While an abstract is not always required, it can be included if specified by the instructor or publication. The introduction presents the research question and necessary background information. The body of the review is organized with clear headings and subheadings. Citations are provided using footnotes or endnotes. The bibliography lists all cited sources in alphabetical order, following specific Chicago-style guidelines. This format is ideal for disciplines that value detailed source documentation and comprehensive reference lists.

Harvard format

The Harvard format is widely used in the UK and Australia, particularly in the humanities and social sciences. Known for its straightforward author-date citation style, Harvard formatting makes it easy for readers to locate sources within the text. A typical Harvard-formatted paper includes a title page with the title, author’s name, course, and date. The abstract provides a concise summary of the review’s purpose and findings. The introduction sets the stage by offering context and stating the research question. The body is organized with headings and subheadings. In-text citations are straightforward, using the author’s surname and the year of publication, such as (Author, Year) or Author (Year). The reference list at the end of the paper is ordered alphabetically and follows Harvard-style guidelines. This format is particularly useful for fields that require clear, concise, and easily navigable citations.

Vancouver format

The Vancouver format is predominantly used in medical and scientific papers due to its efficiency and straightforward approach to citations. A Vancouver-formatted paper begins with a title page that includes the title, authors, and their affiliations. The abstract offers a brief summary of the research question, methods, and findings. The introduction introduces the topic and presents the research question. The body of the paper is structured with headings. References are cited in the text using numbered citations in the order they appear, enclosed in square brackets, such as [1]. The references section lists all sources in numerical order, matching the in-text citations. This numbering system allows for easy reference and reduces clutter within the text, making it ideal for scientific and medical literature where multiple sources are often cited.

IEEE format

The IEEE format is commonly used in engineering, computer science, and information technology fields. It is recognized for its precision and clarity. A paper formatted in IEEE style begins with a title page that includes the title, authors, and their affiliations. An abstract follows, summarizing the key points of the paper. The introduction provides an overview of the topic and introduces the research question. The body is organized with clear headings and subheadings, guiding the reader through the content. In-text citations are numbered sequentially in square brackets, such as [1], corresponding to the order in which they appear in the text. The references section lists all sources in numerical order, following IEEE citation guidelines. This format is particularly suited for technical papers where clarity and brevity are crucial, and the numbered citation system helps maintain a clean and organized presentation of complex information.

How to format a literature review?

In this section, you will find the most commonly used formats in literature reviews, adhering to the latest versions of both APA and MLA styles. These formats are essential for ensuring consistency and professionalism in academic writing. Here are the steps:

Title page

APA: Place the title of your paper centred and bold on the upper half of the page. Center your name below the title. Center your institutional affiliation below your name. Include a running head only on the title page, which is a shortened version of your title (up to 50 characters), in all caps, aligned to the left, with the words “Running head:” preceding it. From the second page onward, include only the shortened title in all caps. Add the page number in the top right corner of every page, including the title page.

MLA: a separate title page is typically not required. Instead, on the first page of your paper, include a header in the upper left corner that contains your name, your instructor's name, the course, and the date. Below this header, center the title of your paper using standard capitalization without bold, italics, or underlining. Page numbers, including your last name and the page number, should be included in the upper right corner of every page.

Abstract

APA: Center the word “Abstract” at the top of the page. Write a 150-250 word summary of the key points.

MLA: Usually not required.

Introduction

APA: Start with the title of your paper centred and in bold. Introduce your research question and provide background information.

MLA: Begin immediately with the introduction. Present the research question and its significance without an additional heading.

Body

APA: Use headings and subheadings to organize content. Cite sources using in-text citations: (Author, Year).

MLA: Use section headings to structure the content. Cite sources using parenthetical citations: (Author Page Number). When citing sources within the text, use parenthetical citations that include the author's last name and the page number from which the information was taken, without a comma between them. For example: (Smith 123).

Conclusion

APA: Summarize the main findings, discuss implications, and suggest furthered lines of inquiry.

MLA: Provide a summary of the main points and discuss the implications.

References/bibliography

APA: Title the page “References” (centred and bold). List sources alphabetically by the last name of the first author, using a hanging indent.

MLA: Title the page “Works Cited” (centred). List sources alphabetically by the first author’s last name, using a hanging indent.

Tips for formatting a literature review

• Organize by themes, chronology, or methodology. Choose a structure that fits your topic and research question. The thematic organization identifies patterns and trends. Chronological organization highlights the evolution of research over time. Methodological organization focuses on different research methods used in the field.

• Use headings and subheadings. Clearly delineate sections using appropriate headings. This enhances readability and helps readers navigate through your review.

• Cite sources correctly. Follow the citation style specified by your discipline. APA and MLA formats have distinct guidelines for in-text citations and reference lists.

• Summarize and synthesize. Rather than merely listing studies, summarize key findings and synthesize information to provide a coherent narrative. Highlight connections between studies and identify gaps or inconsistencies.

• Be critical and reflexive. Critically evaluate the literature, discussing the strengths and weaknesses of various studies. Maintain a professional tone.

• Edit and proofread. Ensure your review is well-organized, free of grammatical errors, and adheres to the required format. Proofreading is essential for clarity and coherence.

• Use transitional phrases. Employ transitional phrases to connect ideas and sections smoothly. This helps in maintaining the flow of your review.

• Include a comprehensive reference list. Ensure all sources cited in the text are included in the reference list. Follow the specific guidelines for your chosen citation style.

• Consult style guides. Refer to the official APA or MLA style guides for detailed formatting instructions. These guides provide comprehensive information on various aspects of formatting, including citations, headings, and references.

• Seek feedback. Before finalizing your literature review, seek feedback from peers, mentors, or instructors. Constructive feedback can help you improve the quality and clarity of your review.

References

American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). American Psychological Association.

Modern Language Association of America. (2021). MLA Handbook (9th ed.). Modern Language Association of America.

University of Chicago Press. (2017). The Chicago Manual of Style (17th ed.). University of Chicago Press.

Turabian, K. L. (2018). A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations (9th ed.). University of Chicago Press.

The University of Sydney. (2020). Harvard Referencing (6th ed.). The University of Sydney Library.

Anglia Ruskin University. (2020). Guide to Harvard Referencing. Anglia Ruskin University.

International Committee of Medical Journal Editors. (2020). Recommendations for the Conduct, Reporting, Editing, and Publication of Scholarly Work in Medical Journals. ICMJE.

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. (2020). IEEE Editorial Style Manual. IEEE.