How do I cite a source within a source?

Answered By: Katie Hutchison

Last Updated: Aug 08, 2016 Views: 2378

According to the University of Maryland and the APA guidebook, you should follow this example:

Citing a Source within a Source (APA Manual, p. 178)

Scenario: You read a 2007 article by Linhares and Brum that cites an earlier article, by Frederick. You want to cite Frederick's article, but you have not read Frederick's article itself.

Reference List Citation

In-Text Citation

Linhares, A., & Brum, P. (2007). Understanding our understanding of strategic scenarios: What role do chunks play? Cognitive Science, 31(6), 989-1007. doi:10.1080/03640210701703725

Your Reference list will contain the article you read, by Linhares and Brum. Your Reference list will NOT contain a citation for Frederick's article.

Frederick's study (as cited in Linhares & Brum, 2007) found that...

Your in-text citation gives credit to Frederick and shows the source in which you found Frederick's ideas.