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.