How to Cite Secondary Sources Properly

Citing sources is an integral part of academic writing and research. Whether you're drafting a research paper, thesis, or dissertation, knowing how to cite secondary sources is crucial. In this article, we will guide you through the essentials of citing secondary sources accurately, ensuring your work maintains credibility and adheres to academic standards.

What Are Secondary Sources?

Before diving into how to cite them, let’s clarify what secondary sources are. Secondary sources interpret, analyze, or summarize information from primary sources. Examples of secondary sources include:

• Books: Scholarly books that offer interpretations of primary research.
• Articles: Journal articles that review or critique primary research.
• Essays: Analyses that reference primary works in literature or history.

In contrast, primary sources offer direct evidence or firsthand accounts, like original research studies, eyewitness reports, or historical documents.

Why Properly Cite Secondary Sources?

Proper citations serve several purposes:

1. Academic Integrity: Citing sources is crucial to avoid plagiarism. Acknowledging the work of others shows respect for intellectual property.
2. Credibility: Citing reputable secondary sources enhances the validity of your argument or analysis. It lets your readers know that your conclusions are based on a thorough understanding of existing research.
3. Research Trails: Proper citations guide readers to your sources, enabling them to explore the topic further if they wish.

How to Recognize When to Cite Secondary Sources

While conducting research, it is essential to recognize when a source is secondary. This could occur in several instances, such as:

• If you are using a study that discusses another research study.
• When referencing a review article that summarizes a range of primary studies.
• In cases of literature reviews that synthesize numerous primary sources.

For example, if you read a book analyzing a historical event and you want to use insights from that analysis without having read the original documents or accounts, you would be citing a secondary source.

Citing Secondary Sources: Key Citation Styles

There are several citation styles widely used in academia, each with its own rules for citing secondary sources. The most common are APA, MLA, and Chicago styles. Below, we will cover how to cite secondary sources in these three formats.

1. APA Style

In the APA (American Psychological Association) style, citing a secondary source involves mentioning the original work and the source you accessed.

Format:

• In-text citation: (Author of Original Work, Year, as cited in Author of Secondary Source, Year)
• Reference List: Only include the secondary source.

Example: If you read a book by Smith (2020) that discusses the findings of Johnson (2015), your in-text citation would look like this:

• (Johnson, 2015, as cited in Smith, 2020).

In your reference list, you would only include Smith:

• Smith, J. (2020). Title of the Book. Publisher.

For detailed guidance, visit the APA Style website.

2. MLA Style

MLA (Modern Language Association) style has its own specific way of citing secondary sources. In MLA, you mention both the original and secondary sources in your text, but you’ll only list the work you accessed in your Works Cited.

Format:

• In-text citation: (Author of Original Work qtd. in Author of Secondary Source Page Number)
• Works Cited: List only the secondary source.

Example: Using the same sources as above, your in-text citation would appear as:

• (Johnson qtd. in Smith 45).

In your Works Cited, list only Smith:

• Smith, John. Title of the Book. Publisher, Year.

For more information, check the MLA Handbook.

3. Chicago Style

The Chicago Manual of Style provides specific guidance for citing secondary sources. Chicago has two systems: the Notes and Bibliography system and the Author-Date system. Here is how to cite using the Notes and Bibliography style, which is commonly used in the humanities.

Format:

• Footnote: Author of Original Work, Title of Original Work, ed. Editor (City of Publication: Publisher, Year), Page Number, quoted in Author of Secondary Source, Title of Secondary Work (City of Publication: Publisher, Year), Page Number.
• Bibliography: Only include the secondary source.

Example: If you're citing the same sources:

1. First footnote:
   • Johnson, Title of Original Work, 55, quoted in Smith, Title of Secondary Work (New York: Example Publisher, 2020), 30.

In the bibliography, you only list Smith:

• Smith, John. Title of Secondary Work. New York: Example Publisher, 2020.

For a complete guide, refer to the official Chicago Manual of Style.

General Tips for Citing Secondary Sources

• Be Consistent: Choose a citation style and stick with it throughout your work.
• Verify Original Sources: If possible, try to access the original source. It’s always best to consult primary literature directly.
• Pay Attention to Formatting: Each style has specific rules about punctuation, italics, and order.
• Use Citation Tools: Tools like Zotero or Mendeley can assist in organizing sources and generating citations in various styles.

Common Misconceptions About Secondary Sources

Misconception 1: Secondary Sources are Always Less Credible

While it is true that secondary sources can introduce biases, many scholarly secondary sources undergo rigorous peer review processes. A well-researched book or article can provide valuable insights that may not be clearly discernible in primary sources. Always evaluate the authority and credibility of a secondary source by considering the author's qualifications and the publisher’s reputation.

Misconception 2: You Can’t Cite Secondary Sources in Academic Works

This is incorrect. Many researchers use secondary sources faithfully, particularly when providing context or background on a topic. However, it’s always wise to err on the side of caution and emphasize primary sources whenever they're available.

Misconception 3: All Secondary Sources are the Same

Not all secondary sources carry the same academic weight. Scholarly articles and books that utilize peer-reviewed research hold more credibility than opinion pieces or blog posts. Always assess the quality and reliability of the source you're using.

Examples of Citing Secondary Sources

To further clarify how to cite secondary sources, here are a few more comprehensive examples across the different citation styles:

APA Example

• In-text: (Doe, 2001, as cited in Smith, 2022)
• Reference: Smith, J. (2022). Understanding Academic Writing. Academic Press.

MLA Example

• In-text: (Doe qtd. in Smith 98)
• Works Cited: Smith, John. Understanding Academic Writing. Academic Press, 2022.

Chicago Example

• First footnote: Doe, Title of Original Work, 23, quoted in Smith, Understanding Academic Writing (Chicago: Academic Press, 2022), 45.
• Bibliography: Smith, John. Understanding Academic Writing. Chicago: Academic Press, 2022.

Conclusion

Mastering the art of citing secondary sources is essential for any researcher or student. Proper citations help maintain academic integrity and establish your credibility while enriching your writing. Whether you’re using APA, MLA, or Chicago style, understanding how to cite secondary sources effectively will ensure your academic writing is polished, professional, and insightful.

For additional resources, consider exploring the Purdue Online Writing Lab, which offers comprehensive guides on different citation styles and research writing.

By following the guidelines outlined in this article, you’ll be well on your way to correctly citing secondary sources in your academic work, allowing you to convey a clear and well-supported argument.