IEEE Citation - All That You Need to Know

IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) citation is a widely used style for referencing sources in engineering, computer science, and other technical fields. 

This citation style follows a numerical system, where each source is assigned a unique number corresponding to an in-text citation and a reference list entry.

In this blog, we will explain how to cite sources in IEEE format and provide examples for different source types.

So, without further ado, let’s dive right in!

What is IEEE Citation?

IEEE citation is based on the Chicago Manual of Style, but with some modifications and simplifications. The main features of IEEE citation are:

In-Text Citations

Square brackets indicate in-text citations with numbers, such as [1], [2], or [3]. The numbers are assigned in the order of citation and are reused for the same source throughout the document.

Reference List Entries 

Reference list entries are numbered and listed at the end of the document, in the same order as they appear in the text. The format and punctuation of the reference list entries vary depending on the source type, such as journal articles, books, websites, etc.

Each entry provides the full bibliographic information of the source, such as author name, title, publication date, publisher, and DOI (digital object identifier).

Citing In-Text Citations in IEEE Style

Here is what you should remember when adding in-text citations in IEEE format:

• Use square brackets with numbers to indicate the citations, such as 1, 2, or 3.
• Assign the numbers in the order of citation, and reuse the same number for the same source throughout the document.
• Place the citations at the appropriate place in the sentence, usually at the end of the sentence or paragraph, or after the author’s name or the quote.
• You can treat the citations as nouns in your sentence, and use them in place of the author’s name, for a more concise style.
• If you are citing multiple sources at the same time, separate the numbers by commas or dashes, depending on the range of the sources. For example, [2, 3, 5–7].

Here is an example of IEEE in-text citations to help you understand:

Citing Reference Entries in IEEE Format

Here is what you should remember about the IEEE reference entries:

• Separate the elements of the entry by commas, and end the entry with a period.
• Use the author's initials instead of the full name, and do not use periods or spaces between the initials. 
• Use the full title of the source, and capitalize only the first word and proper nouns. 
• Use the abbreviated form of the publication name, and italicize it.

Here are basic formats and examples of different source types in IEEE format:

Book: 

Report:

Conference Paper:

Website: 

Reference Page Formatting in IEEE Format

The reference page in IEEE format is a numbered list of all the sources that you have cited in your document. 

• Always start the references section on a new page.
• Write "References" at the top center of the page, without any formatting.
• The number of your references in the order they appear in the text, and give each reference a unique number.
• Put the reference number in square brackets at the beginning of each entry. Align the reference numbers on the left margin.
• Indent the reference 0.5 inches after the reference number. Keep the same distance between the reference numbers and the entries.
• Single-space the reference and double-space between references. Use the same margins as the paper.
• Use the same font and size as the paper (usually Times New Roman and 12-point size).

Here is what a reference list should look like in IEEE Format:

So there you have it!

IEEE citation is concise and avoids unnecessary information, such as page numbers, issue numbers, or access dates unless they are essential for identifying the source. 

By following the guidelines and examples provided in this blog, you can learn how to cite sources in IEEE format correctly and consistently. You can also check out the blog on IEEE paper format to learn each and every detail about IEEE formatting for your research papers and essays. 

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Note: All information given in this article about the IEEE Style Referencing has been obtained from the official manual, that can be accessed at: https://journals.ieeeauthorcenter.ieee.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/IEEE-Editorial-Style-Manual-for-Authors.pdf