how to format a literature review apa 7th

APA Style Citation Guide 7th Edition

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Literature Review

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• Literature Review via APA Style.org

"a narrative summary and evaluation of the findings or theories within a literature base.  Also known as 'narrative literature review'. "

• Key takeaways from the Psi Chi webinar So You Need to Write a Literature Review via APA Style.org

Examples of Literature Reviews

• Financial socialization: A decade in review (2021)
• The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the development of anxiety disorders - a literature review (2021)
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How to Write a Literature Review: Writing a Literature Review in APA Format

• Writing a Literature Review in APA Format
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Writing a Literature Review in APA

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APA Formatting and Style Guide (7th Edition)

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Sample APA-Style Papers (7th edition)

The following links provide samples of student-paper formatting in APA's 7th edition style.  The first is from APA's web site; the second is from Purdue OWL's web site.

• Sample APA Student Paper This document from the APA web site illustrates the 7th edition formatting of a student paper. This format is a simplified version of the professional paper format (excluding things like running heads, etc.).
• Purdue OWL Sample Student Paper This sample student paper in APA 7th edition comes from PurdueOWL. It can be used to supplement the example from the APA web site, or stand on its own.

The following links provide samples of professional-paper formatting in APA's 7th edition style.  The first is from APA's web site; the second is from Purdue OWL's web site.  The formatting of these professional papers is a bit more involved than that of the student sample papers.

• Sample APA Professional Paper This sample professional paper from the APA web site illustrates the 7th edition formatting for a paper submitted for publication to a professional journal.
• Purdue OWL Sample Professional Paper This sample paper from Purdue OWL illustrates in 7th edition formatting a professional paper. It can be used to supplement the APA sample paper or it can stand alone.

Quotations and Paraphrases in APA Style (7th edition)

• Quotations (APA 7th Edition) This link takes you to a page on the official APAstyle.org web site with information that includes how to cite both direct and indirect quotations (short and long), how to cite material for direct quotations that do not contain page numbers, and more.
• Quotations--PurdueOWL (APA 7th edition) On this "Basics: In-Text Citations" page from PurdueOWL, scroll down to see explanations and example for quotations both short (under 40 words) and long (40+ words). In addition, it gives guidance about paraphrases/summaries and how to use in-text citations to document their original source(s).

Formatting an Annotated Bibliography in APA Style (7th edition)

• Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL): Annotated Bibliographies This helpful page from PurdueOWL explains the purpose of annotated bibliographies, what they often contain, and why they're helpful.
• Guidelines for Formatting Annotated Bibliographies (APA, 7th ed.) This document provides guidance for formatting annotated bibliographies, including a sample annotated bib.

Formatting a Literature Review in APA Style (7th edition)

While APA doesn't itself provide an example of how to format a literature review, it does provide some guidance in its Publication Manual * about the content of a lit review:

Literature Reviews:

• provide summaries and evaluations of findings/theories in the research literature of a particular discipline or field;
• may include qualitative, quantitative, or a variety of other types of research;
• should define and clarify the problem being reviewed;
• summarize previous research to inform readers of where research stands currently in regard to the problem;
• identify relationships, contradictions, gaps, and inconsistencies in the current literature;
• suggest next steps or further research needed to move toward solving the problem.  (APA, 2020, Section 1.6, p. 8)

* American Psychological Association. (2020).  Publication manual of the American Psychological Association: The official guide to APA style (7th ed.). American Psychological Association.

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Know the CORRECT APA 7th Edition Literature Review Format

Mastering the APA 7th edition literature review format is crucial for academic and research works. This standardized format ensures consistency, clarity, and proper citation, allowing researchers to present their ideas systematically. Adhering to the APA literature review format enhances the credibility of academic work and facilitates the seamless exchange of information within the scholarly community.

Welcome to our guide on how to correctly format your literature review in APA 7th edition style. This blog is here to help you understand the right way to organize and present your ideas in your APA format literature review. It's important to get this format right because it shows your ability to engage with existing research and contribute to academic conversations.

In this blog, we'll break down the literature review format in APA 7th edition, making it easier for everyone, whether you're a student, researcher, or academic. Whether you're new to these guidelines or looking to improve your skills, we've got practical tips and insights to guide you through the process.

We want to make the literature review format less confusing and more accessible. Join us as we explore the steps to help you write a literature review that meets the standards set by the American Psychological Association. Let's make your scholarly writing even better!

Now let us know the correct APA 7th edition literature review format using the official APA manual  which is  highly beneficial for the PhD  researchers.

The American Psychological Association (APA) 7th edition provides guidelines for formatting various elements of a literature review.

Below is an outline that you can follow for structuring a literature review in APA format:

The Title Page in an APA 7th edition literature review serves as the introductory section, providing essential details about the document. This page is crucial for identifying the work and its contributors, setting the tone for the reader. Key components include:

Title : Centered, bold, and in title case, the title should succinctly convey the main focus of the literature review in APA 7th edition.

Author(s) : Centered and double-spaced beneath the title, list the author's name(s) in title case in APA style literature review. This information establishes authorship and contributes to academic accountability.

Institutional Affiliation : Centered and double-spaced beneath the author's name(s), include the institutional affiliation. This indicates the academic or organizational association of the author(s), providing context for readers for APA style literature review.

The Abstract in an APA 7th edition literature review is a concise summary that provides a brief overview of the main points, methodology, and findings of the review. This crucial section helps readers quickly grasp the key elements without delving into the full document. Here are the key components

Centered at the top of the page, the word "Abstract" is specified as the heading, distinguishing it from other sections in APA literature review outline.

The abstract itself, limited to 150-250 words, encapsulates the main objectives, methods, results, and conclusions of the literature review. 

It serves as a standalone piece, offering a snapshot of the entire work in APA literature review outline.

Following the abstract, provide 3-5 keywords or phrases that highlight the main themes and concepts covered. 

This aids in searchability and categorization in literature review APA format 7th edition.

Introduction

The Introduction section in an lit review format is a crucial component that outlines the purpose, scope, and context of the review. This section establishes the groundwork for the reader, guiding them into the main body of the work. Here are key details to include:

Page Header

The word "Introduction" is centered at the top of the page, signaling the beginning of the document which is an APA format literature review example.

Purpose Statement

Clearly articulate the overarching goal of the literature review. 

Define the specific research question or thesis that the review seeks to address for APA 7th literature review.

Scope of the Review

Briefly outline the boundaries of the review by specifying the time frame, geographical focus, or particular themes under consideration which is also an APA format literature review example.

Significance

Explain the relevance and importance of the review in the broader academic context. 

Highlight the gaps or debates within the existing literature that the review aims to address for APA 7th literature review.

Body of the Review

The Body of the Review in an APA literature review is where the analysis and synthesis of relevant literature take place. This section is organized based on themes, concepts, or chronology, presenting a comprehensive overview of existing scholarly works which is an literature review APA 7th edition example. Key elements include:

Employ clear and logical organization, using headings and subheadings to structure the review by themes, concepts, or time periods in literature review APA format 7th edition.

Clearly label each section with informative headings that guide the reader through different aspects of the literature, helping them navigate the review efficiently in literature review APA 7th.

Critically analyze and synthesize the literature, evaluating the methodologies, findings, and contributions of each work. 

Identify patterns, trends, and gaps in the existing research in literature review format APA 7th edition.

Support statements and arguments with proper in-text citations, adhering to the author-date citation style in literature review APA 7th.

The Conclusion section in an APA literature review serves as the endpoint of the scholarly exploration, summarizing key findings and implications. It offers closure to the reader by synthesizing the main points and reflecting on the broader significance of the reviewed literature which is also a literature review APA 7th edition example. Key components include:

Page Header  

• The word "Conclusion" is centered at the top of the page, signifying the culmination of the literature review format APA 7th edition.

Summary  

• Recapitulate the main findings and contributions of the literature review, emphasizing key takeaways and insights.

Implications  

• Discuss the implications of the reviewed literature for the broader field of study. Address how the findings contribute to existing knowledge and potential applications which is also an APA 7th edition literature review outline example.

Gaps and Future Research  

• Identify any gaps or limitations in the current literature and propose avenues for future research. Suggest areas where additional inquiry or exploration is needed.

The References section in an APA edition literature review is a critical component, providing a comprehensive list of all the sources cited in the document. This section follows specific formatting guidelines to ensure accuracy and consistency. Key details include:

"References" is centered at the top of the page, serving as the title for this section.

Alphabetical Order

Sort the items according to the first author's last name in alphabetical order. Use hanging indents for each reference to enhance readability.

Ensure proper formatting for various source types, including books, journal articles, and online resources. 

Italicize book and journal titles, and use appropriate capitalization in APA 7th edition literature review outline example.

Author Information

Include the full names of all authors, initials for first and middle names, and publication dates.

Provide DOI (Digital Object Identifier) or URL for online sources when available.

In-text Citations

In-text Citations in an lit review format are essential for attributing information to its original source within the text. Proper citations lend credibility to the review and facilitate readers in locating the referenced material. Key aspects of in-text citations include:

Use the author-date citation system throughout the literature review.

Include the author's last name and the publication year within parentheses. 

For instance, (Smith, 2019) for a single author, or (Smith, Harris & Johnson, 2019) for two or three authors and (Smith et al., 2019) for more than three authors.

When quoting directly, include the page number after the publication year, separated by a comma (e.g., Smith, 2019, p. 45)

Distinguish between works by the same author and year using letters (e.g., Smith, 2019a; Smith, 2019b).

Final Thoughts

To wrap things up, getting the APA 7th edition literature review format right is super important. It's like a roadmap for your research story. Following these guidelines keeps your work organized and up to par with what the experts expect. No matter if you're new to this or a pro, nailing the APA edition literature review format matters.

So, take the time to check out the APA format literature review, use online guides, visit your university's writing help, and maybe try out formatting tools to know more about the format. Learn from examples in reputable journals too. Why? Because sticking to the correct literature review format doesn't just make you look good – it shows you take your research seriously. Keep at it, follow the rules, and let your literature review shine the right way in that APA 7th edition format!

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They can help researchers identify gaps in the existing literature, develop a research question, and create a literature review that is both comprehensive and critical. Additionally, they can assist researchers in preparing a proposal that is well-structured and clearly outlines the research objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes. 

Thesisindia.net’s systematic literature review service embarks on a comprehensive and meticulous journey into the vast realm of research. They leave no valuable stone unturned, employing a variety of robust methods for an exhaustive search. From scouring electronic databases to hand-searching journals and even consulting field experts, their approach ensures that all relevant studies are identified. With their unwavering commitment to precision and thoroughness, you can rest assured that your research endeavors will yield remarkable results.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How to write a literature review paper in APA format?

   - Follow the guidelines outlined in the APA Manual, 7th edition, for structuring and formatting your literature review paper.

2. How long should an APA literature review be?

   - The length of an APA literature review varies, but it generally ranges from 15-30 pages, depending on the scope and requirements of your research.

3. How do you write a literature review in APA 7th edition?

   - Write a literature review in APA 7th edition by carefully following the guidelines for headings, citations, and references provided in the APA Manual.

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APA 7th Edition Formatting

By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Reviewer: Eunice Rautenbach (DTech) | June 2023

F ormatting your paper in APA 7th edition can feel like a pretty daunting task , and understandably so. In this post, we’ll walk you through the APA 7 requirements, step by step. We’ll also share our free APA template , which you can use to fast-track your writing.

Student vs Professional Papers

First things first, it’s important to clarify that APA 7th edition has slightly different requirements for two different types of papers: student papers and professional papers . In this post, we’ll focus on the requirements for student papers. This will cover pretty much any paper you’ll need to submit as part of a degree program, including a dissertation or thesis (although those can require some small tweaks – more on that later).

Overview: APA 7th Edition Formatting

• APA structure and layout
• General page setup
• The title page
• The abstract
• The main body
• The reference list
• The appendices
• Free APA template

Structure and Layout

Let’s start by looking at the overall structure of a student paper formatted for APA 7th edition, before diving into the details of each section. APA requires that your paper follows a very specific, standardised structure , consisting of the following parts:

The title page : this will include the title of your paper, as well as a subtitle (if required by your university). It will also contain some information about yourself, your department and the course you’re writing the paper for.

The abstract : depending on the length of your paper and the requirements of your university, you may be required to present a brief abstract, summarising the core takeaways from your paper.

The main body : this section is the “heart” of your paper, containing the bulk of your word count. This is where you’ll present your A-grade writing!

The reference list : this section is where you’ll detail all the reference information corresponding to the in-text citations in the main body of your paper (the previous section).

Tables and figures: in the vast majority of cases, universities require that tables and figures are included in the main body of the paper, but if that’s not the case, the alternative is to have a dedicated section for the tables and figures. This is uncommon though, but we’ve mentioned it just in case.

The appendices : depending on the length of your paper and the specific requirements of your university, you may be required to include an appendix or a set of appendices containing supplementary information, such as data sets or evidence of some sort of fieldwork.

These core sections form the standard structure and order of a student paper using APA 7th edition. As we mentioned, not all of these sections are always required (specifically, the abstract, tables and figures section, and the appendix are less common), so be sure to check what your university expects from you before submitting.

Now that we’ve got a big-picture view, let’s look at the specific formatting requirements for each of these sections, step by step.

Generic Page Setup

Before you jump into writing up your paper, you’ll need first set up your document to align with APA 7th edition’s generic page requirements. Alternatively, you download our APA template (which comes fully preformatted) to fast-track your writing.

APA 7th edition requires a 1-inch margin on all sides of your document, for all pages. That said, if you’re writing a dissertation, thesis or any document that will ultimately be bound, your university will likely require a larger left margin to accommodate for binding.

Fonts & sizing

You’ll need to use a specific font and font size consistently throughout your student paper. The approved options for APA 7th edition are as follows:

• Sans serif fonts: 11-point Calibri, 11-point Arial, or 10-point Lucida Sans Unicode
• Serif fonts: 12-point Times New Roman, 11-point Georgia, or normal (10-point) Computer Modern (the default font for LaTeX)

Within figures , you will need to use a sans serif font, typically between 8 and 12 points in size. It’s best to check with your university what their preference is in this regard. For footnotes , you can use whatever the default settings are in your word processor.

In general, all text other than headings needs to be left-aligned and should not be justified . We’ll cover the formatting of headings a little later.

Line spacing

APA 7th edition requires double line spacing throughout the document . There should also be no extra space before and after paragraphs . One exception to this rule is that text within figures or tables can utilise single or 1.5-line spacing. Again, it’s a good idea to check with your university what their specific preference is.

Running header

Last but not least, you’ll need to set up a running header for your document. This should contain the page number and should be positioned in the top right corner of all pages (including the first page). There is no need for footer content unless your university specifically requests it.

With these generic formatting considerations out of the way, let’s dive into the specific requirements for each section of your paper.

The Title Page

The title page is the shop window of your paper; it’s where you make the all-important first impression to your reader. Therefore, it’s really important to make sure your format this exactly as required for APA 7th edition.

Here’s the process you can follow to set up your title page for success.

• Centre-align your curson and create 4 empty lines
• On a new line, type the title of your paper in boldface, using title case
• On a new line, type the subtitle of your paper in boldface, using title case
• Add one blank line, then write your full name on the next line
• On a new line, type your affiliation (your department and university or school name)
• On a new line, type your course code and course name (match the format used by the institution)
• On a new line, type your professor or course instructor’s name
• On a new line, type the due date for your paper

Remember to centre align all of this text and do not use justification . If you’re unsure about how to write using title case, here’s a useful title case converter . To make it all a little more tangible, below is an example of a title page formatted according to APA 7th edition specifications.

The Abstract

As we mentioned earlier, an abstract is not always required for student papers, but if your university has indicated that they require one, you’ll need to follow a specific format for APA 7th edition. Here’s how you can set it up:

• Start your abstract on a new page
• On the first line, type “Abstract”. This should be boldface and centred
• On a new line, write the abstract. This should be aligned flush left (no indentation) and is typically 150 – 250 words in length.
• On a new line, type “Keywords:”. This should be indented a half inch and italicized
• On the same line, include 3 – 5 relevant keywords. These should all be written in lowercase and should not be italicised. They should be separated by commas and there should be no period after the final keyword.

Here’s an example of an abstract page formatted according to APA 7th edition specifications.

The Main Body

Now we can move on to the important stuff – the body section of your paper. There are quite a few things you need to know about formatting this section for APA 7th edition – let’s unpack it step by step.

Initial set-up

To kick things off, insert a page break and start your main body on a new page . You can then copy and paste the title (and subtitle, if you have one) from your title page onto the first line of your body page.

With your title (and subtitle) in place, you can start your write-up on a new line . This should be left-aligned and the first line of each paragraph should have a half-inch indent . As with the rest of your paper, this section should use double-line spacing.

The first paragraph of your main body does not require a heading as it’s generally assumed that the first paragraph will be introductory in nature. For the rest of the body, you can use headings as you see fit. However, it’s important to understand the specific formatting requirements for APA headings . Here’s a quick overview:

Level 1: Centered, boldface, title case (paragraph text starts on a new line) Level 2: Flush left, boldface, title case (paragraph text starts on a new line) Level 3: Flush left, boldface, italic, title case (paragraph text starts on a new line) Level 4: Indented, boldface, title case, end the heading with a period (paragraph text starts on the same line) Level 5: Indented, boldface, italic, end the heading with a period (paragraph text starts on the same line)

It’s also important to note that headings shouldn’t be labelled with any numbers or letters. For example, “1. Potential Causes”, “2. Consequences”, etc. Instead, you can stick to purely descriptive headings.

Related to this, you should avoid using an excessing number of headings – less is more when it comes to headings. Don’t feel the need to use multiple headings or heading levels, especially for shorter papers. Just keep it simple 🙂

Text styling and punctuation

APA 7th edition has specific requirements with regard to text styling and punctuation. Here are some of the most important requirements you’ll need to follow:

• Use a single space (as opposed to a double space) at the end of each sentence (i.e., after the period)
• Use an Oxford comma when listing out 3 or more items
• Use words to write any number less than 10 , as well as when starting a sentence
• Write out all fractions in text format (e.g., two-thirds, three-quarters, etc.)
• Use numerals for any numbers that represent time , dates , age or money

There are a few important rules to follow in terms of language use when writing your paper using APA format. Most importantly, you’ll need to:

• Use active voice (as opposed to passive voice) as much as possible
• Stick to one verb tense throughout the same and adjacent paragraphs
• Avoid using contractions , colloquial language or excessive jargon
• Use bias-free language – you can learn more about this here

In-text citations

APA 7th edition has a very specific set of requirements regarding how to reference resources within your paper. Here are some of the most important things you need to be aware of:

Author-date system: in-text citations consist of (at a minimum) the lead author’s last name, followed by the date of publication. APA does not use numbers or footnotes to denote citations.

Types of citations: APA allows two types of in-text citations – parenthetical (non-integrative) and narrative (integrative). Parenthetical citations feature the author and date in parentheses (brackets) at the end of the respective sentence. Here’s an example:

APA 7th edition is easy to grasp if you visit the Grad Coach blog (Jansen, 2023).

Narrative citations weave the author into the flow of the sentence and only include the date in parentheses at the end of the sentence. Here’s an example:

Jansen states that APA 7th edition is easy for students to grasp if they visit the Grad Coach blog (2023).

Both of these citation formats are acceptable and, in general, it’s a good idea to utilise a mix of both in your writing.

Quotations: when quoting text verbatim from a source, you’ll need to include the page number of the original text in your citation. This number needs to be placed after the date portion of the citation, whether it’s a narrative or parenthetical citation. Here’s an example:

APA 7th edition is easy to grasp if you visit the Grad Coach blog (Jansen, 2023, p.45).

Multiple authors: when citing resources that were created by three or more authors, you only need to state the lead author’s last name, followed by “et al.”. Here’s an example:

APA 7th edition is easy to grasp if you visit the Grad Coach blog (Jansen et al., 2023).

As we mentioned, APA has an extensive set of requirements regarding how to format and structure in-text citations and references, so please keep in mind that this is not an exhaustive list. If you’d like to learn more, you can visit the referencing section of the APA site here . Below you can find an example of a portion of body content from our free template , which demonstrates the different types of citations.

The Reference List

With your body content taken care of, the next item on the agenda is the reference list . Again, APA has a notably large set of requirements regarding the content and formatting of the reference list. Nevertheless, we’ll cover the basics here to help you get started.

Basic setup

As with all sections, your reference list needs to start on a new page and should be titled “References”. The title should be boldfaced and centred . The reference list should then start on the next line. As with the rest of the document, the reference list should have double line spacing throughout.

The list itself

The reference list should comprise the following:

• All sources cited in the body of your document should feature in the reference list. Make sure that every citation is accounted for in your reference list.
• The references should be ordered alphabetically , according to the lead author’s last name .
• Each entry must include (at a minimum) information regarding the author (s), publication date , the title of the article and the source (e.g., an academic journal).
• All references should be left-aligned and should use a hanging indent – in other words, the second line of any given reference (if it has one) should be indented a half inch.

We have to stress that these are just the basics. APA 7th edition requires that all of your references must be structured and formatted in a very specific way , depending on the type of resource. For example, the content and formatting requirements for a journal article will be significantly different from that of a blog post or magazine article (you can see some examples in our template ).

Simply put, if you plan to draft your reference list manually, it’s important to consult your university’s style guide or the APA manual itself. This leads us to our next point…

In general, it is a terrible idea to try to write up your reference list manually . Given the incredibly high level of detail required, it’s highly likely that you’ll make mistakes if you try to write this section yourself. A much better solution is to use reference management software such as Mendeley or Zotero. Either of these will take care of the formatting and content for you, and they’ll do a much more accurate job of it too. Best of all, they’re both completely free.

If you’re not familiar with any sort of reference management software, be sure to check out our easy-to-follow explainer videos for both Mendeley and Zotero .

The Appendix

Last but not least, we’ve got the appendix (or appendices). The appendix is where you’ll showcase any supporting data for your student paper. This section is not always required , especially for shorter papers, so don’t worry if it sounds unfamiliar. If you’re unsure, check with your university if they require (or even allow) appendices.

If an appendix is required, here’s how you’ll set it up:

• Start the appendix on a new page
• Title the page “Appendix” if there is only one appendix , or “Appendix A”, “Appendix B”, etc. if there are multiple appendices . This title should be boldfaced and centred.
• On a new line, write the title of the appendix . Again, this should be boldfaced and centred.
• On a new line, start your appendix content . As with the body content, the first line of each paragraph should be indented.

An important point to remember is that you need to refer to your appendix within your main body section . This typically means including a line that reads something like “(see Appendix A for more information)”. In other words, your appendix should never be an orphan.

Another important thing to keep in mind is that appendices don’t typically earn marks (at least not directly). To be clear, your appendix can help support the claims you make in your body content (which would have a positive impact on its mark-earning potential), but, in most cases, markers will not award marks to the appendix content itself. If you’re unsure, check with your university what their policy is.

Wrapping Up

In this post, we’ve provided a primer covering the core requirements for student papers using APA 7th edition . To recap, we’ve looked at the following:

One last thing to point out; it might be obvious but it’s important to mention it – if your university has specified anything that contrasts what we’ve discussed here, do follow their guidance . Some universities and/or programmes will have slight variations on the standard APA requirements, and you want to make sure you follow them.

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Thinking about using a dissertation or thesis writing service? You might want to reconsider that move. Here’s what you need to know.

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Research Topic Ideation

Proposal Writing

Literature Review

Methodology & Analysis

Academic Writing

Referencing & Citing

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