Following citation chains

A fuller example.

Imagine this sequence:

Book A (2020)

argues something

It cites

Article B (2008).

You read Article B.

Article B says:

This argument builds upon Smith (1987).

You then read

Smith (1987).

Smith bases his argument on

nineteenth-century parliamentary debates.

You then consult those debates.

The chain becomes:

Primary debates

↓

Smith

↓

Article B

↓

Book A

Researchers often move backward toward original evidence and forward toward later interpretations.

That entire process is called following citation chains.