Citing a secondary source is essential when you encounter information from an original author's work that you haven't read directly, but which is quoted or summarized by another author in a publication you have read. It ensures academic integrity by acknowledging both the original idea and the source through which you accessed it.
Understanding Secondary Referencing
A secondary reference occurs when you refer to an original source (e.g., a book or article) that you did not read yourself, but which is cited or discussed in another source (the secondary source) that you did read. While it's always best practice to seek out and read the original source, secondary referencing provides a valid method when the original is inaccessible.
When to Use a Secondary Source Citation
You should only resort to secondary referencing in specific situations, such as:
- The original publication is out of print or extremely difficult to obtain.
- The original is in a language you do not understand, and no translation is available.
- You have exhausted all reasonable attempts to locate and access the original work.
Important Note: Always prioritize finding and reading the original source. Citing directly from the original ensures accuracy and a deeper understanding of the context.
Methods for In-Text Secondary Referencing
When citing a secondary source, your in-text citation must acknowledge both the original author and the secondary source you actually read. The references provide two primary formats for this, commonly used in various citation styles (like APA, though minor variations may exist):
1. Author-Prominent Citation
This format emphasizes the original author, followed by the source where you found their work cited.
Format: Secondary Author Last name (Year, page no.) cites Original Author's surname (Year).
Explanation: In this style, the emphasis is on the fact that the secondary author is the one presenting the original author's ideas. You explicitly state that the secondary author cites the original author.
Example:
- Smith (2020, p. 45) cites Jones (1998) as stating that "early childhood experiences significantly influence adult behavior."
- According to Johnson (2018, p. 112), who cites Brown (1975), the theory of cognitive dissonance was initially met with skepticism.
2. Information-Prominent (Parenthetical) Citation
This format places both authors and years within parentheses, often at the end of a sentence.
Format: (Original Author Last name, Year, cited in Secondary Author Last name, Year, Page no.)
Explanation: This style is used when you are presenting information from the original source without making the original author the subject of your sentence. The citation concisely indicates where the information was found.
Example:
- Early childhood experiences significantly influence adult behavior (Jones, 1998, cited in Smith, 2020, p. 45).
- The theory of cognitive dissonance was initially met with skepticism (Brown, 1975, cited in Johnson, 2018, p. 112).
Comparative Table: In-Text Secondary Citation Styles
| Aspect | Author-Prominent Citation | Information-Prominent (Parenthetical) Citation |
|---|---|---|
| Emphasis | On the secondary author and their act of citing the original. | On the information itself, with both sources in parentheses. |
| Placement | Secondary author integrated into the sentence flow. | Often at the end of a sentence or clause. |
| Format | Secondary Author (Year, page) cites Original Author (Year). |
(Original Author, Year, cited in Secondary Author, Year, Page no.) |
| Example | Smith (2020, p. 45) cites Jones (1998)... | ... (Jones, 1998, cited in Smith, 2020, p. 45). |
| Best Used When... | You want to highlight who presented the original idea. | You are focusing on the information and need a concise citation. |
Referencing in Your Reference List
A critical rule for secondary referencing is that only the secondary source (the one you actually read) should appear in your final reference list or bibliography. You do not include the original source, as you have not directly consulted it.
Example:
If you cited "Jones (1998, cited in Smith, 2020, p. 45)", your reference list would only include an entry for Smith:
Reference List Entry (for the secondary source):
- Smith, J. (2020). Title of Smith's Book or Article. Publisher/Journal Name, Volume(Issue), Page-range.
Best Practices for Secondary Referencing
- Verify Information: If possible, try to verify the information attributed to the original author by the secondary source. Sometimes, interpretations can differ.
- Use Sparingly: Secondary references should be a last resort. Your work will be stronger if you rely primarily on original sources.
- Accuracy is Key: Always ensure that the page numbers and years for both the original and secondary sources are accurate as presented in the secondary material.
By following these guidelines, you can effectively and ethically incorporate information from secondary sources into your academic work.
