Integrated Writing Program: APA Secondary Sources

Occasionally, your may want to use information that is cited in one of your sources.  In this situation, the best option is to locate the source of that information and cite it directly.  However, if you cannot locate the original work, you may cite it as a secondary source. 

To cite a secondary source, enter the source that YOU READ in your reference list.  In the body of your paper, give the name(s) and date of the original author(s) and parenthetically cite the source you read.

Example

Smith and Stuart (1975, cited in Hendriks, 2000) suggested that laughter is good for your health. 

APA Quick Reference