Guide

An APA-style literature review scans, evaluates, and synthesizes sources with clear structure, correct citations, and consistent formatting.

A dissertation’s literature review maps key studies, groups them by themes, critiques methods, and shows the gap your project addresses.

A literature review for a dissertation maps current knowledge, builds themes, and argues for the gap your study will fill.

A literature review maps what’s known, shows gaps, and builds a case for your study with clear selection, synthesis, and structure.

A literature review maps major sources, compares findings, and builds a case that frames your research question and approach.

A literature review comes together by setting scope, searching widely, reading critically, mapping themes, and writing with synthesis.

To cite Harvard Business Review, use your style guide’s magazine format, list Harvard Business Review as the source, and include date and URL or DOI.

To cite a law review article, collect the author, title, journal, volume, year, and pages, then apply the rules for your chosen style.

A book review citation lists the reviewer, date, review title, bracketed description, and source details, formatted to APA, MLA, or Chicago rules.

In APA Style, build a journal reference with author, year, article title, journal name, volume(issue), page range, and a DOI or URL.