The executive summary is usually organized according to the sequence of chapters or sections of the report it summarizes. ... The executive summary should be written so that it can be read independently of the report. It must not refer by number to figures, tables, or references contained elsewhere in the report.

Does an executive summary need citations?

Just as you need to properly cite others' ideas in your thesis body text, you should include citations in the executive summary if needed and a short List of References at the end.

Do you put references in a summary?

When summarizing as part of a larger text, it's essential to properly cite the source of the summary. The exact format for citing depends on your citation style, but it usually includes an in-text citation and a full reference at the end of your paper.