When to Use IEEE Style
IEEE style is used primarily in engineering, computer science, and technology fields. It uses a numbered citation system where sources are cited with bracketed numbers [1], [2], etc., in the order they appear in your document.
๐ Common Fields Using IEEE:
- Electrical Engineering
- Computer Science
- Electronics & Technology
- Telecommunications
- Robotics & Automation
Quick Reference - Common Source Types
๐ Book
Example:
[1] W. Stallings, Computer Organization and Architecture, 10th ed. Boston, MA, USA: Pearson, 2023.
๐ Journal Article
Example:
[1] J. Smith and M. Johnson, "Deep learning for image recognition," IEEE Trans. Neural Networks, vol. 35, no. 2, pp. 234-248, Feb. 2024, doi: 10.1109/TNN.2024.001.
๐ Website
Example:
[1] IEEE. "IEEE citation reference." IEEE.org. https://ieee.org/citation (accessed Mar. 15, 2024).
In-Text Citations
Basic Citation
Use bracketed numbers in order of first appearance:
...as shown in [1].
Multiple Sources
...as demonstrated in previous research [1], [2], [4].
Range of Sources
...multiple studies [1]-[5] have shown...
Same Source, Multiple Times
Use the same number throughout:
First mention [1]... Later mention [1] again.
With Page Numbers
...as stated in [1, p. 45].
Reference List Formatting Guidelines
- โTitle: "References" at the top of a new page
- โOrder: Numbered in order of first appearance in text
- โNumbering: Use [1], [2], [3], etc.
- โSpacing: Single-space within entries, double between
- โAuthor Names: Use initials for first and middle names
- โItalics: Italicize titles of books and journals
- โDOI: Always include DOI for journal articles when available
- โAbbreviations: Use standard abbreviations (vol., no., pp., ed.)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
โ Alphabetical Ordering
Wrong: Ordering references alphabetically
Right: Number references in order of first appearance
โ Using Full First Names
Wrong: William Stallings
Right: W. Stallings
โ Missing DOI for Journal Articles
Wrong: Omitting DOI when available
Right: Always include doi: 10.xxxx/xxxxx
โ Not Abbreviating Month Names
Wrong: February 2024
Right: Feb. 2024
๐ IEEE Special Features
Conference Papers
Include conference name, location, year
[1] Author, "Title," in Conf. Name, City, Year
Standards
Cite IEEE and other standards
[1] IEEE Std 802.11, Year
Patents
Include patent number and date
[1] Author, "Title," Patent #, Date
Theses/Dissertations
Note degree type and institution
[1] Author, "Title," Ph.D. dissertation, Univ., Year
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