How to Cite Secondary Resources in APA Format

The American Psychological Association (APA) format is a style of writing mainly used to cite sources in social science fields, but APA is also seen in other fields and academic settings. The APA manual is currently in its 6th edition, second printing. Citations are required to give credit where credit is due, as well as to show proof of resources used. Citing a secondary source means citing work discussed in a source you are using.

Instructions

    • 1

      Cite secondary sources when pertinent information is is referenced in the text but you do not have access to the original source. When citing a secondary source using the APA format, cite both the primary and secondary source.

    • 2

      Quote or paraphrase the information from the secondary resource. Before the ending punctuation, add an in-text citation. Assuming that the author of the secondary source is Sam Smith, and his quote appears in a work by John Jones, the citation is styled as follows: Sam Smith, when he said, "Six children dropped out of school this year" (as cited in Jones, 2003, p. 44), was referring to the year 1971.

    • 3

      Create an APA-style reference entry for the primary source, John Jones's work, and add it to your reference page at the end of your document. Do not add a reference for the secondary source.

Learnify Hub © www.0685.com All Rights Reserved