Citing a Secondary Source In-Text: 3 Examples

Understanding Secondary Sources in In-Text Citations

When writing research papers, citing sources accurately is crucial for maintaining credibility. A secondary source refers to information that discusses or analyzes primary source materials. When you reference a secondary source, you must acknowledge the original author as well as the work where you found the information. Below are three practical examples of citing a secondary source in-text.

Example 1: Academic Journal Reference

In academic writing, you might encounter a situation where you need to reference a secondary source found in a peer-reviewed journal. For instance, if you read a study by Smith (2020) that discusses the findings of an earlier research by Jones (2018), you would cite it as follows:

In her analysis of educational methodologies, Smith (2020) argues that “the integration of technology in the classroom significantly enhances student engagement” (as cited in Jones, 2018).

This example shows that while you are discussing Smith’s perspective, the original idea comes from Jones’s work. Always ensure to include both authors in your reference list, with Jones being the primary source.

Notes:

• If you are directly quoting, use quotation marks and include the page number if available.
• The format may vary based on the citation style (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.).

Example 2: Book Reference

When utilizing secondary sources from books, clarity is key. Suppose you are writing about psychological theories and reference a book where Johnson (2019) discusses the insights of Miller (2017). Your in-text citation could be:

According to Johnson (2019), “the cognitive development stages outlined by Miller (2017) provide a framework for understanding adolescent learning” (p. 45).

Here, Johnson is the author you are directly reading, but Miller’s original theory is the foundation of the statement. This structure allows readers to understand the lineage of ideas clearly.

Notes:

• Always check the specific citation style for formatting guidelines, particularly for page numbers.
• If no page number is available, use section headings or paragraph numbers where possible.

Example 3: Website Reference

In the digital age, many sources are found online. If you encounter a blog post by Lee (2021) that references research done by Adams (2019), an appropriate in-text citation would look like this:

Lee (2021) notes that “research conducted by Adams (2019) indicates a rising trend in online learning” which highlights the shift in educational practices.

This citation indicates that Lee is the immediate source, while Adams’s findings serve as the basis for Lee’s commentary. It’s essential to verify the online sources for reliability and credibility.

Notes:

• For online sources, include the retrieval date if the content is subject to change.
• Ensure the website is authoritative to reinforce the credibility of your paper.