Quote from another source (secondary source)
By secondary source we mean that the source you are reading cites content that was first presented in another source. This other source is called the primary source. In your writing, you must show that you are using a quote from another text. Include the original year of the primary source if you have it available.
Let’s say you are reading a book by Smith (2010) in which Green (1918) was cited and you were unable to read Green’s book yourself. In your text you cite Green as the primary source and then write “as cited in” or “as quoted in”, followed by Smith’s work as the secondary source.
Example:
(Green, 1918, as cited in Smith, 2010, p. 5)
Example:
…for example Green (1918, as cited in Smith, 2010)…
In the example above, the reference list shouldn’t include Green, only Smith. This is because Smith is the source you have used, while you haven’t read or checked Green’s book directly.
Note: If possible, you should find the primary source. If this is not possible, you must show that you are reproducing the quote from another text. Include original year if possible.
Check with your tutor/supervisor. Different subject areas might have different approaches, or there might be other requirements for your paper or thesis.
In the reference list you enter the source you have read. Do not include sources you haven’t checked or read.
In the example above, you quoted Green from Smith. Smith (2010) is the primary source, whereas Green (1918) is the secondary source. This means that Smith is your source and that you should only include Smith in the reference list:
Example:
Smith, K. (2010). Theoretical Concepts. Rare Publishing.
Note: Do you find it odd that the primary source (Green) is excluded from the reference list? All sources you have cited in your text shoul be included in your list, but not sources you haven’t cited.
In your text you write (Green, 1918, as cited in Smith, 2010, p. 5) and in the reference list you enter the corresponding source: Smith, K. (2020)…
Add the secondary source in EndNote, depending on type of source.
I Word: use Edit Citation to add information about the primary source. In the Prefix field enter as cited in, with a space after. For example: Green, 1918, as cited in
Add the secondary source in EndNote, depending on type of source.
I Word: use Add/Edit Citation and Prefix to add information about the primary source. In the Prefix field enter as cited in, with a space after. For example: Green, 1918, as cited in