Secondary Sources
Secondary sources are articles, books, or other information sources that make reference within
the body of the text to the work of other writers and that you may want to reference in your
paper.
Inappropriate Citation of Secondary Sources
Imagine that you are reading an article by Justin (2006) and in that article she makes reference
to a study done by Albert (2003) that suggests that it is essential for students to have at least a
half course in professional ethics before engaging in a practicum. You want to include this
important point in your paper.
The first thing to do is to locate the original article by Albert (2003). Unless this article is difficult
to access (e.g., not available through the AU library), you are expected to read the original
source before you make reference to it in your paper. In this case, you would cite Albert since
you can read that material.
There is quite a bit of diversity of opinion about the optimal ordering of graduate courses.
Albert (2003) argued that, at the very least, students must complete a professional ethics
course (at least one semester) before their first practicum begins.
If you were to submit your paper with the following secondary source citation, your instructor
would likely question why you were unable to access an article by Albert that is only a few years
older than your secondary source and you would likely see marks deducted.
There is quite a bit of diversity of opinion about the optimal ordering of graduate courses.
Albert (as cited in Justin, 2006) argued that, at the very least, students must complete a
professional ethics course (at least one semester) before their first practicum begins.
If you were to cite Justin (2006) instead of Albert (2003), you would be completing an act of
academic misconduct by not citing the correct source for the information. The following entry
would be considered misconduct. In this case, you may face a failing grade on the paper or,
if it occurs more than once, more serious consequences.
There is quite a bit of diversity of opinion about the optimal ordering of graduate courses.
Justin (2006) argued that, at the very least, students must complete a professional ethics
course (at least one semester) before their first practicum begins.
Appropriate Citation of Secondary Sources
Sometimes it is impossible to access the original source for a particular statement or idea. In the
sample below, for example, the original is a classic article written in 1967 that might be hard for
you to get your hands on and putting this into your own words could reduce its impact. In this
case, provide the name of the original source and then the more complete reference for the
secondary source you found the material in.
Paul summed this idea up well in his statement that the counsellor must assess “what
treatment, by whom is most effective for this individual with that specific problem under
which set of circumstances?” (as cited in Weinrach & Thomas, 1998, p. 118).
Writing & APA Lesson 5 Commentary 6 p. 1
Or
The counsellor must assess “what treatment, by whom is most effective for this
individual with that specific problem under which set of circumstances?” (Paul, as cited
in Weinrach & Thomas, 1998, p. 118).
Notes:
 There are two ways of formatting the citation demonstrated above – either is fine.
 Do not include the date of the original publication.
 In your reference list, the only thing that should appear is the Weinrach and Thomas
(1998) secondary source that you actually read.
Writing & APA Lesson 5 Commentary 6 p. 2