How do I cite a source within a source?

Answer

Many times, you want to use a quote or paraphrase referenced in another study. This is called a citation within a citation.

For instance, you are citing an article you found in your research by Lawton et al.

Lawton et al. published an academic article addressing disparities in mental health service use that exist for Latino families, and more research is needed to identify contributing factors. They reference other studies in the article you found, including findings from a study conducted by Thorton & Calam.

The Primary Source is the article or study the information originally came from: Thorton & Calam

The Secondary Source is the article that referenced the information: Lawton et al.

MLA:

In-text citations:

Include a reference to the primary source either in a signal phrase in your own narrative writing and then cite your secondary source preceded by the phrase phrasing “qtd. in secondary source + page number”

Example:

Thorton and Calam assert, “[f]or parents with an external locus of control, interventions aimed at parenting behavior may not correspond with their beliefs about the child’s behavior, which may influence their engagement and participation” (qtd. in Lawton et al. 291).

In your parenthetical in-text citation, include the original citation in the quote (primary first) and add the phrasing “qtd. in secondary source + page number”

In-text citation template: (Primary source, qtd. in secondary source +page number).

For example:

Recent research suggests, “parents with an external locus of control, interventions aimed at parenting behavior may not correspond with their beliefs about the child’s behavior, which may influence their engagement and participation” (Thorton and Calam, qtd. in Lawton et al. 291).

Works Cited:

The secondary source (the source you found) is included in the works cited list. The primary source is only cited in the in-text citations; you do not create a separate full-length citation for that source in your paper.

For example:

Lawton, Kathryn E., et al. “Understanding Parental Locus of Control in Latino Parents: Examination of Cultural Influences and Help-Seeking Intentions for Childhood ADHD.” Cultural Diversity & Ethnic Minority Psychology, vol. 22, no. 2, Apr. 2016, pp. 288–98. EBSCOhost, https://doi.org/10.1037/cdp0000022.

Extra examples: https://columbiacollege-ca.libguides.com/c.php?g=725852&p=5228062

APA:

Best practice is to locate the original primary source and only use it as normal. At lower undergraduate levels, however, you may use the secondary source by letting the reader know what you have done.

In-text Citations:

Similar guidelines apply to APA format. There are slight differences in the additional phrasing you use to signal the secondary source. You will use the phrase “as cited by” here.

In-text citation template: (Primary source, year, page number, as cited by secondary source, year, page number).

For example:

“For parents with an external locus of control, interventions aimed at parenting behavior may not correspond with their beliefs about the child’s behavior, which may influence their engagement and participation” (Thorton & Calam 2011, as cited by Lawton et al., 2016, p. 291).

You may also use signal phrases to break up the citation in your own narrative writing.

Example:

Thorton and Calam (2011) suggests, “parents with an external locus of control, interventions aimed at parenting behavior may not correspond with their beliefs about the child’s behavior, which may influence their engagement and participation” (as cited by Lawton et al., 2016, p. 291).

Reference page:

For example:

Lawton, K. E., Kapke, T. L., & Gerdes, A. C. (2016). Understanding parental locus of control in Latino parents: Examination of cultural influences and help-seeking intentions for childhood ADHD. Cultural Diversity & Ethnic Minority Psychology, 22(2), 288–298. https://doi.org/10.1037/cdp0000022

Refer to pg. 258 of the APA handbook for further information.