Cite a literature review as the source type (journal article, chapter, or report) and follow your style guide’s rules for that format.
What a literature review is and what you cite
A literature review can be a standalone journal article, a chapter in an edited book, a section of a thesis, part of a report, or a white paper. Your reference should describe the item you actually used. If you read a review article, cite the article. If you drew from a chapter that surveys research, cite the chapter and its book. If you relied on a report that synthesizes studies, cite the report. Keep your in-text citations synced with the matching entry in your reference list or works cited page.
The entries below show common situations with clean models you can adapt. Match punctuation, capitalization, and spacing to the exact rules of your style guide, and keep author names and dates consistent between the sentence and the reference entry that supports it.
| Scenario | APA 7 reference | MLA 9 works cited |
|---|---|---|
| Standalone review article in a journal | Lee, A. (2023). Global sleep studies: A review. Journal of Rest, 15(2), 101–118. https://doi.org/10.1000/jr.2023.15.2.101 | Lee, Alex. “Global Sleep Studies: A Review.” Journal of Rest, vol. 15, no. 2, 2023, pp. 101–118, https://doi.org/10.1000/jr.2023.15.2.101. |
| Review chapter in an edited book | Patel, R. (2022). Methods in mindfulness research: A review. In C. Gomez & T. Wu (Eds.), Methods In Mind (pp. 55–80). Sage. | Patel, Rina. “Methods in Mindfulness Research: A Review.” Methods In Mind, edited by Carlos Gomez and Tina Wu, Sage, 2022, pp. 55–80. |
| Review section inside a thesis or dissertation | Nguyen, P. T. (2024). Stress and memory among nurses (Master’s thesis, City University). City University Repository. https://doi.org/10.1000/cu.2024.45 | Nguyen, Phuong T. Stress and Memory Among Nurses. City University, 2024. City University Repository, https://doi.org/10.1000/cu.2024.45. |
| Agency report that synthesizes evidence | World Health Organization. (2021). Air quality and child health: Review of evidence. https://doi.org/10.1000/who.2021.aq | World Health Organization. Air Quality and Child Health: Review of Evidence. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1000/who.2021.aq. |
| Conference paper that reviews studies | Garcia, M., & Brown, D. (2020). Nutrition trials: A scoping review. In Proceedings of the 10th Global Nutrition Congress (pp. 12–20). https://doi.org/10.1000/gnc.2020.12 | Garcia, Maria, and David Brown. “Nutrition Trials: A Scoping Review.” Proceedings of the 10th Global Nutrition Congress, 2020, pp. 12–20, https://doi.org/10.1000/gnc.2020.12. |
| Online review article ahead of print | Ahmed, S. (in press). Wearables in sleep research: A review. Sleep Tech Review. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1000/str.aop.789 | Ahmed, Sara. “Wearables in Sleep Research: A Review.” Sleep Tech Review, in press, https://doi.org/10.1000/str.aop.789. |
Citing a literature review: styles and examples
APA 7 basics
In APA, cite by author and year in the text, and list a full reference entry. Article titles use sentence case; journal titles keep title case. Include the DOI in URL form when available. In-text forms include a parenthetical cite like (Lee, 2023), a narrative cite like Lee (2023), and a page pin like (Lee, 2023, p. 105). A grouped cite may look like (Lee, 2023; Patel, 2022; World Health Organization, 2021).
Reference pattern for a review article in a journal: Author, A. A. (Year). Title of article: Subtitle if any. Journal Title, volume(issue), page range. https://doi.org/xxxxx. See the official APA journal article examples for cases like missing issues, retractions, and article numbers.
MLA 9 basics
MLA uses author and page in the text. Works Cited entries capitalize the article title headline-style, put the title in quotes, and italicize the journal name. Include volume, issue, year, page range, and a DOI link when present. In-text forms include (Lee 105) or a narrative form with the page in parentheses. Works Cited pattern: Author Last, First. “Title of Article: Subtitle.” Journal, vol. x, no. y, year, pp. xx–yy, https://doi.org/xxxxx.
For periodical quirks such as online-only issues, special sections, and supplements, check the MLA periodicals guide to confirm labels and order.
Chicago author-date basics
Chicago author-date places the year in the in-text citation, with a matching reference list entry. A page pin takes this form: (Lee 2023, 105). Reference pattern for a review article: Author Last, First. Year. “Article Title.” Journal Title volume (issue): pages. https://doi.org/xxxxx. For quick patterns across many source types, see the Chicago author-date quick guide.
When the review is a chapter or a section
Many projects lean on a chapter that surveys research. In that case, the chapter is the source. Name the chapter author, then the book’s editors, the book title, the chapter page range, and the publisher. Your in-text citations still point to the chapter author and year. The same idea applies to a thesis chapter and a government report that contains a long survey of prior studies.
Edited book chapter
APA: Gomez, L. (2021). Advances in dizziness research: A review. In N. Shah & V. Iyer (Eds.), Progress In Balance Science (pp. 9–34). Routledge.
MLA: Gomez, Lina. “Advances in Dizziness Research: A Review.” Progress In Balance Science, edited by Neer Shah and Varun Iyer, Routledge, 2021, pp. 9–34.
Chicago AD: Gomez, Lina. 2021. “Advances in Dizziness Research: A Review.” In Progress In Balance Science, edited by Neer Shah and Varun Iyer, 9–34. New York: Routledge.
Thesis or dissertation
APA: Silva, J. M. (2020). Behavioral sleep therapy among teens (Doctoral dissertation, Northlake University). Northlake Digital Commons. https://doi.org/10.1000/ndc.2020.77
MLA: Silva, João M. Behavioral Sleep Therapy Among Teens. Northlake University, 2020. Northlake Digital Commons, https://doi.org/10.1000/ndc.2020.77.
Chicago AD: Silva, João M. 2020. Behavioral Sleep Therapy Among Teens. PhD diss., Northlake University. https://doi.org/10.1000/ndc.2020.77.
Report or guideline
APA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Long covid: Evidence review (CDC Report 22-104). https://doi.org/10.1000/cdc.22.104
MLA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Long COVID: Evidence Review. 2022. CDC Report 22-104, https://doi.org/10.1000/cdc.22.104.
Chicago AD: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2022. Long COVID: Evidence Review. CDC Report 22-104. https://doi.org/10.1000/cdc.22.104.
In-text citation patterns that fit reviews
One author: APA (Lee, 2023), MLA (Lee 105), Chicago (Lee 2023, 105).
Two authors: APA (Garcia & Brown, 2020), MLA (Garcia and Brown 14), Chicago (Garcia and Brown 2020, 14).
Three or more authors: APA (Rossi et al., 2021), MLA (Rossi et al. 88), Chicago (Rossi et al. 2021, 88).
Group author: APA (World Health Organization, 2021), MLA (World Health Organization 33), Chicago (World Health Organization 2021, 33).
No page numbers: APA (Lee, 2023, para. 6), MLA (Lee), Chicago (Lee 2023).
Several sources at once: APA (Lee, 2023; Patel, 2022), MLA (Lee 105; Patel 61), Chicago (Lee 2023; Patel 2022).
Secondary citation (use sparingly): APA (as cited in Lee, 2023, p. 104); MLA (qtd. in Lee 104); Chicago (“quoted in” wording in the sentence, then cite Lee 2023, 104). It is better to locate the original when you can.
Common mistakes and quick fixes
- Mismatched author names: Your in-text citation must point to the first element in the reference entry. If the entry begins with a group name, the in-text form should use that name.
- Title capitalization drift: APA and Chicago use sentence case for article titles; MLA uses headline-style. Keep the style steady across your list.
- Missing DOIs: Add the DOI link when the journal supplies one. If you only have a URL, include a stable link or a repository link tested by you.
- Wrong container: A chapter review is not a whole book. Make sure the book title appears after the chapter title, with editors named.
- Out-of-order elements: Style guides set the order for volume, issue, year, and pages. Follow the sequence they list for that source type.
- Over-quoting: Summarize main findings in your own words. Use short quotes only when wording matters, and add page numbers.
Style details that shape accuracy
Small details control clarity and indexing. Article titles in APA and Chicago appear in sentence case; journal titles always keep title case and are italicized. MLA uses headline-style for article titles and also italicizes the journal name. APA and Chicago place the year near the author; MLA places the year in the middle with volume and issue. Punctuation, spacing, and abbreviations like “pp.” vary by style, so give the model your full attention before you paste.
| Element | APA 7 | Chicago AD |
|---|---|---|
| In-text form | (Author, Year, p. x) | (Author Year, x) |
| Article title case | Sentence case | Sentence case |
| Journal title | Title Case, italic | Title Case, italic |
| Issue number | Include issue in parentheses after volume | Include issue in parentheses after volume |
| DOI form | https://doi.org/xxxxx | https://doi.org/xxxxx |
| Page range label | No “pp.” in journals; use an en dash | No “pp.” in journals; use an en dash |
Quick templates you can reuse
Journal review article
APA: Author, A. A. (Year). Title of article: Subtitle if any. Journal Title, volume(issue), xx–yy. https://doi.org/xxxxx
MLA: Author Last, First. “Title of Article: Subtitle.” Journal, vol. x, no. y, year, pp. xx–yy, https://doi.org/xxxxx.
Chicago AD: Author Last, First. Year. “Article Title.” Journal Title volume (issue): xx–yy. https://doi.org/xxxxx.
Book chapter that reviews research
APA: Author, A. A. (Year). Chapter title. In E. E. Editor & F. F. Editor (Eds.), Book Title (pp. xx–yy). Publisher.
MLA: Author Last, First. “Chapter Title.” Book Title, edited by Editor First Last and Editor First Last, Publisher, Year, pp. xx–yy.
Chicago AD: Author Last, First. Year. “Chapter Title.” In Book Title, edited by Editor First Last and Editor First Last, xx–yy. City: Publisher.
Thesis or dissertation with a review chapter
APA: Author, A. A. (Year). Title of thesis (Master’s thesis or Doctoral dissertation, Institution). Repository or Database. URL
MLA: Author Last, First. Title of Thesis. Institution, Year. Repository or Database, URL.
Chicago AD: Author Last, First. Year. Title of Thesis. Type of thesis, Institution. URL.
Practical drafting tips that save time
- Build your reference entry first, then drop in in-text forms as you write. This keeps names, years, and titles consistent.
- Use a manager that can output APA, MLA, and Chicago. Still proofread the entry by hand against the guide.
- Prefer DOIs over unstable URLs. Repository links work well when a DOI is not assigned.
- When summarizing several studies in one sentence, place the citations in date order to help readers scan the line.
- Keep page numbers for direct quotes and for pinpoint claims. Many guides expect an exact page for quotations.
Worked examples from start to finish
APA sample paragraph: Sleep loss raises accident risk in shift staff. Recent reviews find large pooled effects in transport staff and clinicians (Lee, 2023; Silva, 2020). In a book chapter that surveys balance disorders, Gomez (2021) reported similar patterns across small trials.
MLA sample paragraph: Sleep loss raises accident risk in shift staff. Reviews point to large pooled effects in transport staff and clinicians (Lee 105; Silva). In a chapter that surveys balance disorders, Gomez notes similar patterns across small trials (22).
Chicago AD sample paragraph: Sleep loss raises accident risk in shift staff. Recent reviews find large pooled effects in transport staff and clinicians (Lee 2023; Silva 2020). In a chapter that surveys balance disorders, Gomez reported similar patterns across small trials (2021, 22).