You're deep into your research, reading through a comprehensive literature review, when you stumble upon the perfect quote that perfectly supports your argument. There's just one problem—the author you're reading didn't write those words. They're citing someone else, and now you want to use that same quote in your paper. How do you give proper credit when you've never actually read the original source?
This scenario is more common than you might think, and it's one of the trickiest aspects of academic writing. When you cite a source that you found through another source—what we call a "secondary citation" or "indirect citation"—you need to be extra careful about how you handle the attribution. Get it wrong, and you could be accused of misrepresenting sources or even plagiarism. Get it right, and you demonstrate scholarly integrity while building on the work of others.
The key to handling secondary citations properly is understanding when they're appropriate, how to format them correctly, and when you should make the effort to track down the original source instead. In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about secondary citations, including the "as cited in" format that's used across different citation styles.
What Are Secondary Citations?
Before we dive into the formatting details, let's make sure we're clear on what secondary citations actually are and why they matter in academic writing.
Secondary citations occur when you want to cite a source that you haven't read directly, but that you found referenced in another work. For example, imagine you're reading a psychology textbook that mentions a study by Dr. Smith from 2018, but you haven't actually read Dr. Smith's original research paper. If you want to use information from that study in your own paper, you need to cite it as a secondary source.
This situation is extremely common in academic writing, especially when you're working with:
- Literature reviews that summarize multiple studies
- Textbooks that reference primary research
- Meta-analyses that compile findings from many sources
- Historical documents that quote other historical sources
Why Secondary Citations Matter
Secondary citations serve several important purposes in academic writing:
Academic Honesty: They show that you're being transparent about where your information comes from, even when you haven't read the original source.
Scholarly Integrity: They demonstrate that you understand the difference between primary and secondary sources and that you're not claiming to have read something you haven't.
Reader Clarity: They help your readers understand the chain of information and make it clear that you're relying on someone else's interpretation or summary of the original work.
Research Transparency: They show the path of your research and make it possible for others to trace back to the original source if they want to verify the information.
When Should You Use Secondary Citations?
Not every situation calls for a secondary citation. Understanding when to use them—and when to avoid them—is crucial for maintaining academic integrity.
Appropriate Uses of Secondary Citations
When the Original Source is Unavailable: Sometimes, the original source is out of print, behind a paywall you can't access, or written in a language you don't speak. In these cases, secondary citations are not only acceptable but necessary.
When You're Building on Existing Literature Reviews: If you're writing a literature review and want to reference how other scholars have interpreted a particular study, secondary citations are appropriate.
When the Secondary Source Provides Important Context: Sometimes, the way another author has interpreted or contextualized the original research is more relevant to your argument than the original study itself.
When You're Discussing Historical or Archival Materials: In historical research, you might need to cite documents that are only available through other scholars' work.
When to Avoid Secondary Citations
When the Original Source is Easily Accessible: If you can easily get your hands on the original source, you should read it yourself rather than relying on someone else's interpretation.
When You're Making Detailed Claims: If you're making specific claims about methodology, results, or conclusions, you should base them on the original research, not on someone else's summary.
When the Secondary Source Might Be Biased: If you suspect the secondary source might have misinterpreted or misrepresented the original work, you should track down the original to verify the information.
When Your Professor Specifically Requires Primary Sources: Some assignments explicitly require you to use only primary sources, in which case secondary citations wouldn't be appropriate.
The "As Cited In" Format: A Universal Approach
The "as cited in" format is the standard way to handle secondary citations across all major citation styles. This format makes it clear that you're citing a source you found through another work, not the original source directly.
Basic Structure
The general format for secondary citations is: Original Author (Year) as cited in Secondary Author (Year)
This tells your reader that you found the information in the secondary source, but that it originally came from the primary source.
Key Principles
Always Cite the Source You Actually Read: The secondary citation should always include the source you actually consulted, not just the original source.
Be Transparent About Your Process: Make it clear that you're relying on someone else's interpretation or summary of the original work.
Provide Complete Information: Include all the necessary citation information for both the original and secondary sources.
Use Consistently: Once you choose to use secondary citations, be consistent in how you format them throughout your paper.
APA Style: Secondary Citations
APA style has specific guidelines for handling secondary citations that emphasize clarity and transparency.
In-Text Citations
Format: (Original Author, Year as cited in Secondary Author, Year)
Example: (Smith, 2018 as cited in Johnson, 2023)
Narrative Format: Smith (2018 as cited in Johnson, 2023) found that...
Reference List
Important: In APA style, you only include the source you actually read in your reference list. Do not include the original source unless you read it directly.
Example: Johnson, A. (2023). Advanced research methods in psychology. Academic Press.
Complete APA Example
In-text citation: Recent research has shown that sleep deprivation significantly impacts cognitive performance (Smith, 2018 as cited in Johnson, 2023).
Reference list entry: Johnson, A. (2023). Advanced research methods in psychology. Academic Press.
APA Style Tips
- Use "as cited in" only when you cannot access the original source
- Always include the publication year for both sources
- Use the same formatting for both parenthetical and narrative citations
- Only include the secondary source in your reference list
MLA Style: Secondary Citations
MLA style handles secondary citations with a slightly different approach, focusing on the source you actually consulted.
In-Text Citations
Format: (Original Author qtd. in Secondary Author Page)
Example: (Smith qtd. in Johnson 45)
Narrative Format: Smith argues that "sleep is essential for cognitive function" (qtd. in Johnson 45).
Works Cited Page
Format: Secondary Author. Title of Secondary Source. Publisher, Year.
Example: Johnson, Alice. Advanced Research Methods in Psychology. Academic Press, 2023.
Complete MLA Example
In-text citation: Recent research has shown that sleep deprivation significantly impacts cognitive performance (Smith qtd. in Johnson 45).
Works Cited entry: Johnson, Alice. Advanced Research Methods in Psychology. Academic Press, 2023.
MLA Style Tips
- Use "qtd. in" (quoted in) instead of "as cited in"
- Include page numbers when available
- Only include the secondary source in your Works Cited page
- Use the same formatting for both parenthetical and narrative citations
Chicago Style: Secondary Citations
Chicago style offers flexibility in how you handle secondary citations, with options for both footnote and author-date systems.
Footnote System
Format: Original Author, Title (Place: Publisher, Year), Page, as cited in Secondary Author, Title (Place: Publisher, Year), Page.
Example: John Smith, Sleep and Cognition (New York: Academic Press, 2018), 45, as cited in Alice Johnson, Advanced Research Methods (Boston: University Press, 2023), 123.
Subsequent Citations: Johnson, Advanced Research Methods, 123.
Author-Date System
Format: (Original Author Year as cited in Secondary Author Year)
Example: (Smith 2018 as cited in Johnson 2023)
Bibliography
Format: Secondary Author. Title of Secondary Source. Place: Publisher, Year.
Example: Johnson, Alice. Advanced Research Methods in Psychology. Boston: University Press, 2023.
Complete Chicago Example
Footnote: Recent research has shown that sleep deprivation significantly impacts cognitive performance.¹
Bibliography entry: Johnson, Alice. Advanced Research Methods in Psychology. Boston: University Press, 2023.
Chicago Style Tips
- Use "as cited in" for both footnote and author-date systems
- Include complete publication information in footnotes
- Only include the secondary source in your bibliography
- Use shortened citations for subsequent references
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Secondary citations can be tricky, and even experienced writers sometimes make mistakes. Here are the most common pitfalls to avoid.
Mistake 1: Citing Only the Original Source
Wrong: (Smith, 2018) Right: (Smith, 2018 as cited in Johnson, 2023)
Why it's wrong: This implies you read Smith's work directly, which you didn't.
Mistake 2: Including the Original Source in Your Reference List
Wrong: Including both Smith and Johnson in your reference list Right: Including only Johnson in your reference list
Why it's wrong: You should only include sources you actually consulted.
Mistake 3: Inconsistent Formatting
Wrong: Mixing "as cited in" and "qtd. in" in the same paper Right: Using the same format consistently throughout
Why it's wrong: Consistency is key to professional academic writing.
Mistake 4: Not Being Transparent About Your Process
Wrong: Making it seem like you read the original source Right: Being clear that you're relying on a secondary source
Why it's wrong: Academic integrity requires transparency about your research process.
When to Track Down the Original Source
Sometimes, it's worth the extra effort to find and read the original source rather than relying on a secondary citation.
Situations That Require Original Sources
When Making Detailed Claims: If you're discussing specific methodology, results, or conclusions, you should base your analysis on the original research.
When the Secondary Source Might Be Biased: If you suspect the secondary source has misinterpreted the original work, you need to verify the information yourself.
When Your Argument Depends Heavily on the Source: If the source is central to your argument, you should read it directly to ensure you understand it completely.
When Your Professor Requires Primary Sources: Some assignments explicitly require primary sources, making secondary citations inappropriate.
How to Find Original Sources
Check the Reference List: The secondary source should include a complete reference for the original work.
Use Library Databases: Search for the original source using your library's academic databases.
Contact the Author: If the source is recent, you might be able to contact the author directly.
Use Interlibrary Loan: If your library doesn't have the source, you can often get it through interlibrary loan.
Best Practices for Secondary Citations
To use secondary citations effectively and ethically, follow these best practices.
Be Transparent
Always make it clear that you're relying on a secondary source. Use the appropriate "as cited in" or "qtd. in" format consistently.
Verify When Possible
Whenever possible, try to track down and read the original source. This ensures accuracy and gives you a deeper understanding of the material.
Use Sparingly
Don't rely too heavily on secondary citations. They should supplement your research, not replace it.
Choose Reliable Secondary Sources
Make sure the secondary source you're using is credible and reliable. A poorly written or biased secondary source can lead you astray.
Be Consistent
Use the same formatting for all secondary citations throughout your paper. Consistency is key to professional academic writing.
Tools and Resources for Managing Secondary Citations
Managing secondary citations can be challenging, but there are tools and resources that can help.
Citation Management Software
Sourcely: Our AI-powered platform can help you find credible sources and generate properly formatted citations, including secondary citations in multiple styles.
Zotero: A free reference management tool that can help you organize your sources and generate citations automatically.
Mendeley: Another free tool that combines reference management with social networking for researchers.
Style Guides
Official Manuals: Each citation style has an official manual that provides comprehensive guidelines for secondary citations.
Online Resources: Websites like Purdue OWL provide free guides to citation formatting with examples.
Library Resources
Librarians: Your campus librarians can help you find original sources and understand citation requirements.
Research Guides: Many libraries provide subject-specific research guides that include citation information.
Ethical Considerations
Using secondary citations responsibly is not just about following formatting rules—it's about maintaining academic integrity and contributing to scholarly discourse.
Academic Integrity
Secondary citations should never be used to misrepresent your research process or make it seem like you've read more than you actually have.
Scholarly Responsibility
When you use secondary citations, you're taking responsibility for the accuracy of the information you're presenting, even though you haven't read the original source.
Reader Trust
Your readers need to be able to trust that you're representing sources accurately and transparently.
Research Transparency
Secondary citations should make your research process transparent, not obscure it.
Conclusion
Secondary citations are a necessary part of academic writing, but they require careful attention to detail and ethical consideration. When used properly, they allow you to build on the work of others while maintaining transparency about your research process.
The key to success with secondary citations is understanding when to use them, how to format them correctly, and when to make the effort to track down original sources instead. By following the guidelines in this article and using the appropriate "as cited in" format for your chosen citation style, you can maintain academic integrity while building on the scholarly conversation in your field.
Remember, the goal of academic writing is not just to follow rules, but to contribute meaningfully to knowledge while being transparent about your process. Secondary citations, when used responsibly, can help you do exactly that.
Whether you're writing your first college paper or your doctoral dissertation, understanding how to handle secondary citations properly will make you a more effective and ethical academic writer. Take the time to master these skills, and you'll find that they become second nature with practice.
The scholarly community depends on accurate and transparent citation practices to maintain the integrity of academic discourse. By using secondary citations properly, you're not just following rules—you're contributing to that integrity and helping to build the foundation for future research.
So the next time you find the perfect quote in someone else's literature review, don't panic. Just remember the "as cited in" format, follow the guidelines for your chosen citation style, and you'll be able to use that information responsibly and professionally.
