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How to Cite a Secondary Source in APA Format

Updated March 2026 · 14 min read

APA 7th Edition Guide · Updated March 2026 · 8 min read

Quick Answer

To cite a secondary source in APA, use "as cited in" in your in-text citation: (Original Author, Year, as cited in Secondary Author, Year). List only the secondary source — the work you actually read — in your reference list. You do not include the original work unless you have read it directly.

📋 Table of Contents
📋 Table of Contents

A secondary source citation occurs when you read an author discussing, quoting, or summarizing another author's original research — and you want to credit that original research — but have not read the original work yourself. This situation is common in academic writing: a textbook cites a classic study, a review article summarizes older research, or a journal article quotes a foundational theory from a 1950s paper you cannot access.

APA 7th edition has clear rules for handling this. The short version: tell your reader you are working with a secondary source by writing "as cited in," and put only the book or article you actually read in your reference list. This guide explains exactly how to do it — and when you should track down the original source instead.

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What Is a Secondary Source?

The terminology can be confusing, so here is a precise definition for academic writing:

From your perspective as the writer, secondary source means: you read the secondary source (the textbook), not the original study.

Warning: In history and literature, "primary source" means something different — a diary, letter, or document from the period being studied. In APA citation context, "secondary source" refers specifically to the citation chain described above, not to the primary/secondary distinction used in historical research.

The APA 7th Edition Rule

APA 7th edition (Section 8.6) states:

APA Publication Manual, 7th Edition — Section 8.6 Sometimes an original work is not available. In such cases, cite the secondary source in the text and include it in the reference list. Give the secondary source in the reference list; in text, name the original work and give a citation for the secondary source.

The phrase "name the original work and give a citation for the secondary source" is the key. Your in-text citation contains both the original author and the secondary source you read. Your reference list contains only the secondary source.

In-Text Citation Format

Template — In-Text Citation (Original Author Last, Original Year, as cited in Secondary Author Last, Secondary Year)

Examples

A classic study cited in a modern textbook:

Example 1 — Classic Study in Textbook Piaget's theory of cognitive development proposed that children pass through four distinct stages of intellectual growth (Piaget, 1952, as cited in Berk, 2021).

A journal article summarizing an older study:

Example 2 — Older Study Summarized in Review Article Early research found that sleep deprivation reduced working memory capacity by up to 38% (Harrison & Horne, 2000, as cited in Walker, 2019).

A translated or foreign-language source cited in an English text:

Example 3 — Foreign Language Source Vygotsky's concept of the zone of proximal development was central to his theory of learning (Vygotsky, 1934, as cited in Cole et al., 1978).

When you cannot include an original publication year (such as when the year is unknown):

Example 4 — Unknown Original Year Ancient brewing techniques described by Al-Jahiz (n.d., as cited in Hattox, 1985) reveal that...

Reference List Entry

The reference list entry is simpler than most people expect: list only the source you actually read. You do not create a reference list entry for the original work you did not access.

Template — Reference List Entry Secondary Author Last, F. M. (Year). Title of secondary source. Publisher.

For the Piaget/Berk example above, your reference list would include only Berk's textbook:

Reference List Entry (Berk's textbook only) Berk, L. E. (2021). Infants, children, and adolescents (9th ed.). Pearson.

Piaget's 1952 work does not appear in your reference list — because you did not read it.

Common Errors — and How to Fix Them

Secondary source citations produce some of the most consistent formatting errors in academic writing. These are the most frequent mistakes:

Error 1: Listing the Original Source in the Reference List

Wrong

Piaget, J. (1952). The origins of intelligence in children. International Universities Press.

(Listed even though the writer never read it)

Correct

Berk, L. E. (2021). Infants, children, and adolescents (9th ed.). Pearson.

(Only the source actually read)

Error 2: Omitting "as cited in"

Wrong

Piaget's stages of development (Piaget, 1952; Berk, 2021) suggest that...

Correct

Piaget's stages of development (Piaget, 1952, as cited in Berk, 2021) suggest that...

Error 3: Citing Only the Secondary Source Without Naming the Original

Wrong

Research on cognitive development found four distinct stages (Berk, 2021).

Correct

Research on cognitive development found four distinct stages (Piaget, 1952, as cited in Berk, 2021).

Error 4: Using "quoted in" Instead of "as cited in"

Wrong

(Piaget, 1952, quoted in Berk, 2021)

Correct

(Piaget, 1952, as cited in Berk, 2021)

APA uses "as cited in" specifically. "Quoted in," "cited by," or "referenced in" are not correct APA phrasing.

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Narrative vs. Parenthetical Format

Secondary citations work in both APA citation formats.

Parenthetical citation (author and year in parentheses):

Parenthetical Children as young as two years old demonstrate theory-of-mind precursors (Wimmer & Perner, 1983, as cited in Wellman, 2014).

Narrative citation (author named in sentence, year in parentheses):

Narrative Wimmer and Perner (1983, as cited in Wellman, 2014) showed that children as young as two years old demonstrate theory-of-mind precursors.

In the narrative format, place "as cited in Wellman, 2014" inside the parentheses directly after the original year. Do not move it outside the parentheses.

When You Should Find the Original Instead

APA recommends using secondary citations only when you genuinely cannot access the original source. Before defaulting to "as cited in," work through this decision process:

Decision Process: Should I Use a Secondary Citation?
1.
Search for the original. Try Google Scholar, your library databases (JSTOR, PubMed, PsycINFO), and Sci-Hub. Many classic studies are freely available online.
2.
Check interlibrary loan. Your university library can usually obtain articles within 24–72 hours at no cost to you. This is often worth it for important sources.
3.
Email the author. For papers behind paywalls, emailing the corresponding author often yields a PDF within a day. Authors are typically happy to share their work.
4.
Consider how central this source is. If the original finding is a cornerstone of your argument, invest the effort to find it. Secondary citations for peripheral references are more defensible.
5.
If truly inaccessible — use the secondary citation. This is what the rule is for. Just keep it to a minimum in your paper.

Special Situations

Both Sources Are the Same Year

Include both years even when identical:

Example (Chen, 2018, as cited in Yamamoto, 2018)

Original Source Has No Date

Example (Ibn Rushd, n.d., as cited in Peters, 2004)

Multiple Secondary Sources Citing the Same Original

If multiple secondary sources all cite the same original work, cite the secondary source you actually read — not all possible secondary sources. If you read two different secondary sources that both cite the same original, cite whichever secondary source contained the specific passage you are drawing from.

Direct Quote from a Secondary Source

When quoting a passage you found in a secondary source (not in the original), include a page number if available from the secondary source:

Example — Direct Quote via Secondary Source "Intelligence is what you use when you don't know what to do" (Piaget, 1952, as cited in Berk, 2021, p. 211).

The page number refers to where you found the quotation in Berk's textbook — not in Piaget's original work.

Secondary Source Is a Translation

When the original work was published in another language and you are reading an English translation, cite the translation directly as a primary source (it is the work you read). You do not need "as cited in" — the translator's name and the translation year go in the reference list:

Example — Translation as Primary Source In-text: (Vygotsky, 1934/1978)

Reference list: Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in society: Development of higher psychological processes (M. Cole, V. John-Steiner, S. Scribner, & E. Souberman, Eds. & Trans.). Harvard University Press. (Original work published 1934)

Quick Reference Table

Situation In-Text Format Reference List
Classic study in textbook (Piaget, 1952, as cited in Berk, 2021) Berk's textbook only
Study summarized in review article (Harrison & Horne, 2000, as cited in Walker, 2019) Walker's article only
Same year for both sources (Chen, 2018, as cited in Yamamoto, 2018) Yamamoto's work only
Original has no date (Al-Jahiz, n.d., as cited in Hattox, 1985) Hattox's work only
Direct quote via secondary source (Piaget, 1952, as cited in Berk, 2021, p. 211) Berk's textbook only
Narrative format Piaget (1952, as cited in Berk, 2021) argued… Berk's textbook only
Translated work you read directly (Vygotsky, 1934/1978) Translation (not "as cited in")

Why APA Limits Secondary Citations

The reason APA discourages heavy reliance on secondary citations is a real concern, not just a formality. When you cite a secondary source, you are trusting that the author of the secondary source:

Errors in citation chains are surprisingly common. A secondary source may paraphrase loosely, compress nuanced findings, or even contain an outright error. If you cite the secondary source, you inherit those potential errors — and your reader cannot trace the information back to verify it.

Tip: If a key finding in your paper rests on a secondary citation, and you discover later that the secondary source misrepresented the original, your argument may collapse. For central claims, always find the primary source.

What Counts as a Secondary Source (and What Does Not)

Source Type Secondary Citation Needed? Reason
Textbook citing a study Yes, if you read only the textbook Classic secondary source scenario
Review article summarizing studies Yes, if you read only the review You did not access the original studies
Translation you read directly No The translation is the primary source you read
Abstract of an article No (but not ideal) The abstract is part of the article itself; cite the article, note in text if only abstract was read
Wikipedia article citing a study Yes, if you only read Wikipedia Find the actual study — Wikipedia is not a citable academic source
News article reporting on a study Yes, if you only read the news article Find the peer-reviewed study itself
Database record (PsycINFO entry) No Use database to access the actual article; cite the article

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Example: Full Paper Walkthrough

Suppose you are writing a paper on early attachment theory. While reading Bretherton's (1992) review article, you come across a reference to Bowlby's (1969) foundational work on attachment, but your library does not have access to the original Bowlby book.

What you would write in your paper:

Body Text Bowlby (1969, as cited in Bretherton, 1992) proposed that infants are biologically predisposed to form attachment bonds with primary caregivers as a survival mechanism.

Your reference list:

Reference List Bretherton, I. (1992). The origins of attachment theory: John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth. Developmental Psychology, 28(5), 759–775. Https://doi.org/10.1037/0012-1649.28.5.759

Note what is not in the reference list: Bowlby's 1969 book. It appears only in the in-text citation alongside "as cited in."

Instructor and Journal Policies

Before using secondary citations, check whether your instructor or target journal has specific rules. Policies vary widely:

Warning: If an assignment rubric says "cite only primary sources," interpret this as "read and cite original research articles" — not APA's specific primary/secondary source distinction. Check with your instructor if unsure.

Related Citation Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a secondary source in APA?
A secondary source is a work that discusses, quotes, or summarizes information from another original (primary) source. For example, if you read a textbook that cites a classic study by Freud, the textbook is the secondary source and Freud's original study is the primary source. You use secondary citation format when you have read the textbook but not the original Freud study.
How do you cite a secondary source in APA 7th edition?
In APA 7th edition, use "as cited in" in the in-text citation: (Original Author, Year, as cited in Secondary Author, Year). In your reference list, include only the secondary source you actually read — not the original work you did not access. For example: (Piaget, 1952, as cited in Berk, 2021), with Berk's textbook in your reference list.
Should the original source or the secondary source appear in my reference list?
Only the secondary source goes in your reference list — because that is the work you actually read. The original work you did not directly access is identified only in the in-text citation using "as cited in." This is the opposite of what many students expect, but it ensures your reference list accurately reflects what you actually consulted.
Is it acceptable to cite secondary sources in academic writing?
Secondary citations should be used sparingly and only when you genuinely cannot access the original source. APA recommends always trying to find the original work first through library databases, interlibrary loan, or emailing the author. Instructors and journals often discourage secondary citations because you are relying on someone else's interpretation, which may contain errors or omit important context.
What if both the original year and the secondary source year are the same?
Include both years even if they are the same. For example: (Smith, 2018, as cited in Jones, 2018). This accurately reflects that you read Jones's 2018 work, which cited Smith's 2018 work. The repeated years may look odd, but APA format requires both to be present.
Can I use "cited in" or "quoted in" instead of "as cited in"?
No. APA format requires the exact phrase "as cited in." Using "cited in," "quoted in," "referenced in," or "cited by" is incorrect. Always use "as cited in" regardless of whether you are quoting, paraphrasing, or summarizing the original work.
Do I need a secondary citation for a translation I read directly?
No. If you read an English translation of a foreign-language work, the translation is the source you read directly — treat it as a primary source. Cite the original publication year and the translation year using a slash format: (Vygotsky, 1934/1978). Include the translation in your reference list with the original publication date noted at the end.
What if I cannot find the original publication year?
If the original publication year is unknown, use "n.d." in place of the year: (Al-Jahiz, n.d., as cited in Hattox, 1985). If you know an approximate date range but not the exact year, you may include that instead: (Al-Jahiz, ca. 9th century, as cited in Peters, 2004).

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