IEEE Format Overview

The IEEE (Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers) citation format is commonly used in technical fields such as computer science, engineering, and information technology. This format guides writers on how to cite references and construct bibliographies for research papers, theses, and dissertations. The IEEE style has several specific guidelines regarding formatting in-text citations and reference lists:

In-text citations: The IEEE citation style uses numbers enclosed in square brackets for in-text citations, which are enumerated in the order they appear in the text. When you cite the same source multiple times, you use the same number assigned to it.

Reference list: At the end of your document, you provide a list of references, each tagged with its corresponding number as used in the text. This list includes the full details of the sources, starting with the assigned number, and is typically arranged in the order of their appearance in the text.

The IEEE citation format aims to standardize the presentation of references in technical writing, making it easier for readers to locate the original sources, while ensuring due credit is given to the authors of the sources.

Insert IEEE In-text Citations

In the following guide, we will unravel the specifics of IEEE in-text citation formatting, taking you through a detailed journey from sequencing your citations to using them in direct quotes. Let's demystify the process and learn how to give credit where credit is due, IEEE style!

Here is a step-by-step guide to formatting in-text citations in the IEEE citation style:

• Sequence: In IEEE style, in-text references should be numbered in the order they appear in the text. So, the first source you cite should be numbered [1], the second source [2], and so on.
• Placement: The citation number is enclosed in square brackets and should be placed before the punctuation if it's at the end of a sentence. For example, "This was later affirmed by Smith [2]."
• Repeated citations: When you cite the same source again later in your text, you use the same number that was assigned to it when it was first cited. You do not need to provide the full citation again.
• Multiple citations: If you're citing multiple sources at once, each number should be enclosed in separate brackets with commas separating each one. For example, "[1], [3], [5]". If you're citing many consecutive sources, you can use a hyphen to connect the first and last numbers, like[1]-[3], to include references 1, 2, and 3.
• Direct quotes: If you're citing a direct quote, the citation number should be placed directly after the quote, and you should also provide the page number in the reference list.
• Citing specific parts of a source: If you are citing a specific part or parts of a source (for example, a figure or a specific page), you should give the relevant page number or numbers in the citation.
• Author's name in text: If you mention the author's name in the text, you still need to include the citation number. For example, "According to Smith [2], the experiment..."

Remember, in-text citations are meant to guide the reader to the full citation in your reference list, and they should be used whenever another person's work has influenced or is directly quoted in your paper.

Format Your IEEE Reference List

In this comprehensive guide, we'll examine the main elements of the IEEE reference list style, from numbering and ordering to detailing various source types.

• Reference list title: The list of references should appear at the end of your document. It should be headed by the title "References" (not "Bibliography").
• Ordering: References should be listed in the order they are cited in the text, not in alphabetical order. This means the first source you cited in your paper should be the first reference in your list, and so on.
• Numbering: Each reference should begin with the corresponding citation number used in the text, enclosed in square brackets.
• Author names: Authors' names should be listed as initial(s) and last name. For example: [1] A. Einstein and N. Bohr,.... If a reference has more than three authors, list the first author's name followed by et al. For example: [2] B. Gates et al.,....
• Titles: The titles of articles, papers, and book chapters should be in quotation marks, with only the first word capitalized (as well as any proper nouns). The names of books, journals, magazines, and conferences should be in italics, with all main words capitalized.
• Indentation: Unlike other reference styles, IEEE does not require you to use a hanging indent for each reference.

This guide should help you craft a comprehensive and accurate reference list, ensuring you give proper credit to the sources you've used in your work.

From assigning numerical citations in the order they appear in your document, to correctly listing authors, titles, and publication details for various types of sources, each step is integral in building an accurate IEEE reference list. Whether you are referencing a book, journal article, film, song, or video game, the IEEE style has a set structure to guide you.

While it may seem complex at first, with consistent practice, citing in the IEEE format can become second nature. Remember, the goal is to give due credit to your sources and to help readers trace the lineage of ideas.

Cite Books in IEEE

When citing a book in the IEEE citation style, you will typically include the author's name, the book title, the place of publication, the publisher, and the year of publication. When citing a book in the IEEE citation style, the general structure is:

For example:

Let's break down each component of this structure:

• Citation number: This is the number that corresponds to the in-text citation you use in your paper. It should be enclosed in square brackets.
• Author's initial(s) and last name: Write the author's first and middle initials (if applicable), followed by their last name. If the book has more than one author, list them in the order they appear on the title page, and use the word "and" before the last author's name.
• Title of book: The title of the book should be written in title case and italicized.
• Place of publication: Include the city and, if it's in the U.S., the state of the publisher. If the city is outside the U.S., include the country.
• Publisher: The publisher's name should be written as it appears on the title page of the book.
• Year: This is the year the edition you used was published.

However, there are some exceptions and special circumstances that may arise when citing a book in IEEE format:

Citation for a book with multiple authors: When a book has two or three authors, list all the authors as they appear on the title page, separated by the word "and". If a book has four or more authors, list the first author's name followed by "et al."

Citation for a book with an editor instead of author: If the book has an editor instead of an author, include the editor's name followed by ", Ed."

Citation for a book with no author: If no author or editor is listed, begin the citation with the book title.

Citation for a book with multiple editions: If the book is a second edition or beyond, include the edition after the title.

Citation for a book chapter: If you're citing a specific book chapter, include the chapter title, the word "in" before the book title, and page numbers of the chapter after the book title.

Citation for a book in a series: If the book is a multi-volume set or a part of a series, include the series title after the book title.

These exceptions cover most special cases you might encounter when citing books in the IEEE style. Remember, the goal is to provide enough information for readers to find the source you're referencing.

Cite Journal Articles in IEEE

When writing an academic paper, citing journal articles appropriately in the IEEE style is pivotal, for it upholds academic integrity and acknowledges the contributions of fellow researchers. Let's learn how to navigate this maze of journal citation together.

When citing a journal article in the IEEE citation style, the general structure is:

For example:

When citing a journal article in the IEEE citation style, you may also encounter a number of exceptions, such as articles only found in online databases. Below we have covered some of the most popular cases:

Citation for a journal article with multiple authors: When a book has two or three authors, list all the authors in the order they appear on the title page, separated by the word "and". If a book has four or more authors, list the first author's name followed by "et al."

Citation for online journals: For online journals, include the DOI (Digital Object Identifier) or URL at the end of the citation.

Do not forget that the primary purpose of citations is to equip readers with adequate information to track down the sources that have informed your work.

Cite Websites in IEEE

Websites are an indispensable resource for research in the digital age, making it all the more important to credit them correctly in our work. Navigating the process can be daunting, but fear not — the IEEE style provides a straightforward way to cite online sources.

When citing a website in the IEEE citation style, the general structure is:

For example:

Now, let's cover some of the most popular exceptions when it comes to generating citations for websites in the IEEE style:

Citation for a website with no author: If no author is listed, begin the citation with the title of the webpage.

Citation for a website with no title: In cases where no page title is available, you can include a page description in brackets.

Citation for a blog post or article: If you are citing a blog post or an article on a website, the title of the post or article is listed first, followed by the title of the blog or website.

These are the most common exceptions you might encounter when citing a website in the IEEE style. Remember that the main purpose of a citation is to allow readers to find your source, so always provide as much information as you can find to help readers locate the original material.

Cite Magazines & Newspaper Articles in IEEE

Magazines and newspapers often explore the pulse of current events, trending discussions, and the cutting edge of knowledge across various fields. They remain a crucial source of information, despite the digital information overload. This is why when you cite a magazine or newspaper article in your work, you must acknowledge the original authors and provide a roadmap for your readers to follow.

The typical format for citing a magazine or newspaper article in IEEE is:

Citing a magazine article:

Citing a newspaper article:

Cite Conference Papers in IEEE

Conference papers are a gold mine of up-to-the-minute research findings, often uncovering the latest breakthroughs before they reach journals. Be it an international symposium on AI or a regional gathering on renewable energy, these papers offer a dynamic snapshot of ongoing scholarly dialogue.

As with all sources, proper citation is essential. This guide will walk you through the process of citing conference papers in the IEEE style. Below you will see the structure for a conference paper citation entry in the IEEE reference list:

Example:

For conference proceedings found online, include the URL or DOI at the end of the citation.

Example:

For papers presented at a symposium or workshop within a conference (a smaller event within a larger conference), include the title of the symposium or workshop.

Example:

If no author is listed, begin the citation with the title of the paper. Similarly, when page numbers are not available, simply exclude them from the citation.

Cite Social Media Posts in IEEE

In today's digitally dominated world, social media platforms have become the go-to places for breaking news, academic discourse, and cultural phenomena. As these platforms are increasingly integrated into our research and scholarly conversations, it's essential to know how to properly cite social media sources. This guide will take you through the necessary steps to cite social media posts in the IEEE citation style.

Although IEEE style does not provide a standard format for citing social media, an adaption of the general IEEE citation style can be used for social media posts. This format includes the most important elements of the source information and helps ensure your citations are useful to your readers.

Below you will find a general structure for a social media post citation entry in the IEEE reference list:

Below you will find some citation examples from popular social media platforms:

IEEE citation for a Twitter post:

IEEE citation for a Facebook post:

IEEE citation for an Instagram post:

These guidelines should provide a useful starting point for citing social media posts in the IEEE style. It's essential to verify the specific citation guidelines of your institute or the publication you're submitting to, as they may have specific preferences or requirements.

Cite Images & Figures in IEEE

As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words. Images and figures can profoundly enhance our understanding and interpretation of a subject, so when incorporating this medium into your scholarly work, it is crucial to properly cite them to give credit to their creators.

The IEEE citation style does not provide explicit guidelines for citing images and figures. However, you can adapt the general IEEE citation format to suit these materials. It's important to give credit to the creators and provide enough information for your readers to locate the original source.

This guide will take you through the specifics of citing images and artworks in the IEEE style. Below you will find the IEEE citation structure for an image or an artwork:

IEEE citation for a figure:

Always place the Figure title/caption below the figure. The Figure, and Figure title/captions must be centre-justified.

When referring to multiple parts of figures: Use the singular Fig., not Figs. (e.g. Fig. 4(a) and 4(b)).

If you adapt, amend, or otherwise modify the image, indicate this at the end of your caption.

Below we have included several citation examples for popular image mediums:

IEEE citation for a table:

IEEE citation for an image:

Remember that the goal of citations is to provide enough information for the reader to find your source. Always provide as much information as possible and be sure to follow any specific guidelines given by your instructor or the publisher.

Cite Theses & Dissertations in IEEE

Theses and dissertations serve as critical resources, often containing detailed and unique insights into specific research topics. When these works inform your own research, it is essential to cite them correctly, not just to acknowledge the original authors, but also to enable readers to locate these sources.

This guide will help you understand the specifics of citing theses and dissertations in the IEEE citation style. The IEEE format for citing a thesis or dissertation is similar to the one for books but with some minor differences:

Now, let's explore some examples for citing theses and dissertations in IEEE:

Citation for a master's thesis:

Citation for a doctoral dissertation:

Citation for a dissertation accessed online:

These examples should help you understand how to cite theses and dissertations in IEEE format. As always, consult with your instructor or publisher to ensure you meet any specific citation requirements they may have.

Cite Data Sets & Databases in IEEE

In the era of big data and digital technology, data sets and databases are becoming increasingly important as primary research sources. These unique sources provide vast amounts of information that can be analyzed to uncover new insights. This guide will explore the specifics of citing data sets and databases in the IEEE citation style. Below you will find the structure for citing data sets or databases in IEEE:

Let's take a look at some examples on how to cite data sets and databases in IEEE:

Citation for a data set:

Citation for a datasheet:

These examples should provide a clear idea of how to cite data sets and databases in IEEE style. Remember to always check with your instructor or the publishing authority for specific citation requirements.

Cite Mobile Applications in IEEE

In the digital age, mobile applications are an essential part of our daily life, providing various services and resources right at our fingertips. Occasionally, they even serve as relevant sources of information in academic research. It's important to know how to cite them correctly when they contribute to your work. In this guide, we will discuss how to cite mobile applications using the IEEE citation style.

The IEEE citation style does not provide an explicit format for citing mobile applications. However, you can still adapt the general format to suit this medium. It's crucial to mention the app's title, the version (if available), the site or organization that made it available, and the URL or the site where it was accessed.

Here's a general format for citing mobile apps in IEEE:

Let's take a look at some examples on how to cite mobile applications in IEEE:

Citation for an app available on the App Store:

Citation for an app available on Google Play:

Citation for an app with a specific version:

This guide should assist you in citing mobile applications in the IEEE style. Always follow specific instructions provided by your instructor or the publishing authority.

Cite Technical Reports in IEEE

Technical reports are a key resource in fields such as engineering and computer science. These documents are rich with detailed insights and cutting-edge research findings, often produced by corporations, government agencies, or research institutions. This guide will help you master the art of citing technical reports in the IEEE citation style.

Here's a general format for citing technical reports in IEEE:

Now let's dive into some examples on how to cite technical reports in IEEE:

Citation for a technical report available in print:

Citation for a technical report available online:

If the technical report was accessed online, you should include the URL or DOI at the end of the citation, along with the (accessed date) information.

Some reports may not have a report number. In this case, you can simply omit this part from the citation.

Cite Patents in IEEE

Patents are an important resource for researchers as they provide comprehensive details about new inventions and technical processes, often holding crucial information not found elsewhere. This guide will provide insights into how to cite patents correctly in the IEEE citation style.

Here's the general format for citing patents in IEEE:

Below we have included several examples for popular types of patent citations:

Citation for a U.S. patent:

Citation for a patent from another country (in this case, Japan):

Citation for a patent with multiple inventors:

These examples should guide you on how to cite patents in the IEEE style. As always, consult with your instructor or the publication you're submitting to for any specific requirements they may have.

Cite Course Materials in IEEE

Course materials can range from lecture slides to course handbooks, lab manuals, and online modules. Knowing how to correctly cite these materials in your work is crucial. This guide will walk you through citing course materials in the IEEE style.

Here's the general format for citing course materials in IEEE:

Now let's dive into some examples on how to cite course materials in IEEE:

Citation for lecture notes:

Citation for a course handbook:

For unpublished materials such as personal class notes or unrecorded lectures, it is generally recommended to cite these in the text and not in the reference list. Always check with your professor or the publication you're submitting to for their specific requirements.

The overall goal of citation is to provide enough detail for the reader to locate your sources. Always provide as much information as possible and adhere to the specific guidelines provided by your instructor or the publication.

Cite Personal Communications in IEEE

In IEEE style, personal communications such as private letters, conversations, emails, or interviews are not typically included in the reference list because they do not provide recoverable data. They are cited in the text with an indication of the communicator and the date of communication.

Here's the general structure for citing personal communications in your IEEE paper:

In-text citation:

Let's explore some examples on how to cite personal communications in IEEE:

IEEE citation for a personal interview:

The Vice-Chancellor's statement was confirmed during an interview (P. Dawkins, Vice-Chancellor, Victoria University, personal communication, October 11, 2014).

IEEE citation for a letter or email:

An email (N. Rahman, personal communication, September 2, 2014) confirming that results are accurate ...

IEEE citation for a private conversation:

The Professor's statement was confirmed during a phone interview (S. Richards, personal communication, July 21, 2015).

Below is an example of how a personal communication citation would appear within a text in the IEEE citation style:

In a recent discussion about the developments in the Stark Industries, Tony Stark confirmed they were working on a new, more efficient arc reactor (T. Stark, personal communication, May 10, 2023). The reactor promises to be a big breakthrough, providing a sustainable energy source that could revolutionize the industry.

As a reminder, if you're citing personal communications, always get permission from your source, and be sure that this type of source is acceptable for your research or assignment.

IEEE Style: Final Notes

Navigating the IEEE citation style, we've seen its comprehensive approach to different sources, from books and journal articles to websites and personal communications. Its numeric system allows for clear and concise in-text citations, perfect for the engineering and technology fields where it's most commonly used.

We hope this guide will serve as your roadmap to understanding and implementing the IEEE citation style effectively, enhancing your scholarly writing. Meanwhile, Bibcitation is always here to help you with all your citation needs, offering accurate and easy-to-use citation tools.