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Published on: Nov 13, 2024
Last updated on: Nov 18, 2024
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Have you ever been confused about how to cite sources for your technical paper?
You’re not alone! Many students struggle with the correct way to cite sources, especially in fields like engineering and computer science.
But don’t worry, this blog will make IEEE citations easy for you.
We’ll cover everything you need to know, from in-text citations to creating a reference list. By the end, you’ll feel confident about using IEEE citations.
Let’s get started!
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IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) citation style is mostly used for technical writing in fields like engineering, IT, and computer science. It’s based on the Chicago Manual of Style, but it’s designed for technical papers.
The main goal of IEEE citation is to give credit to original sources and help readers find them easily. If you’re writing a technical report or research paper, you’ll likely use IEEE style.
Now, let’s talk about how to use this citation style.
In IEEE style, you need to do two main things:
First, let’s look at how to create an IEEE citation in text
In-text citations in IEEE style use numbers inside square brackets, like [1] or [2]. These numbers match the sources in your reference list. You should place the citation number right after the sentence or phrase where you used the source.
You must number the citations in the order they appear in the text. For example, the first source you mention will be [1], the second [2], and so on.
Example:
"Buttercream cakes are perfect for special occasions due to their smooth texture [1]."
Now, let’s talk about how to create the reference list.
In IEEE, your reference list comes at the end of your paper. The sources are listed in numerical order, based on how they appear in the text. This is different from APA or MLA, where sources are listed alphabetically.
Here’s an IEEE book citation example:
[1] A. Baker, The Art of Buttercream Cakes, 2nd ed. New York: Cake Masters Publishing, 2022.
Next, let’s discuss how to handle in-text citations in more detail.
Here are some important tips for citing sources in IEEE style:
Here is an IEEE in text citation example:
"Buttercream cakes have been trending due to their versatility [2], [3], [4]."
Now, let’s see how to format the reference list properly.
The reference list is the last section of your document. It must follow specific formatting rules.
Here is what a reference list looks like:
Different sources need different formats in IEEE style. Below are some IEEE citation examples of common types of sources.
For books, the format is:
Author(s), Title, edition (if applicable), place of publication, publisher, year.
Example:
[1] A. Baker, The Art of Buttercream Cakes, 2nd ed., New York: Cake Masters Publishing, 2022.
For IEEE journal citation, use:
Author(s), "Title of article," Journal Name, vol. X, no. Y, pp. Z-Z, Month Year.
Example:
[2] J. Doe, "Modern buttercream techniques," Journal of Cake Design, vol. 10, no. 2, pp. 45-56, Apr. 2023.
For IEEE citation website, the format is:
Author(s), "Title of page," Website Name. [Online]. Available: URL. [Accessed: Month Day, Year].
Example:
[3] M. Sweet, "Best buttercream cake recipes," Baking World. [Online]. Available: www.bakingworld.com/buttercream-recipes. [Accessed: Sept. 15, 2023].
For conference papers, use:
Author(s), "Title of paper," in Conference Name, City, Year.
Example:
[4] M. Frost, "Buttercream piping tips," presented at International Cake Expo, London, 2021.
To cite technical reports, use:
Author(s), Title of report, report number, organization, year.
Example:
[5] S. Cream, Buttercream Frosting Guide, Rep. No. 101, Cake World Institute, 2020.
For IEEE figure citation, follow this format:
Figure number, Title of figure, Source. Include a description if necessary.
Example:
666 Figure 1, "Buttercream decoration techniques," from Buttercream Artistry, 2022.
For IEEE image citations, use the following format:
Author(s), "Title of image," website, URL, access date.
Example:
777 J. Baker, "Beautiful Buttercream Cakes," ButtercreamGallery.com, www.buttercreamgallery.com/images/beautiful-cakes, accessed on Oct. 3, 2024.
Some sources need special treatment when using IEEE citation style. This is especially true for sources with many authors or when there is no author or date. Here’s how to handle these situations:
When citing sources with multiple authors, follow these simple rules:
Two Authors:
If a source has two authors, list both names. For example:
[1] J. Smith and R. Jones, “Buttercream Frosting Recipe,” Baking Journal, vol. 10, no. 2, pp. 15-20, 2024.
Three to Six Authors:
If there are three to six authors, list all their names. For example:
[2] A. Brown, B. Green, and C. White, “Ultimate Buttercream Techniques,” Pastry Magazine, vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 30-35, 2024.
More than Six Authors:
If a source has more than six authors, list the first author's name followed by "et al.," which means "and others." For example:
[3] D. Black et al., “Creative Buttercream Designs,” Cake Decorating Journal, vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 100-110, 2024.
Using "et al." helps keep your citations shorter and clearer.
Sometimes you may find works that have no author or no date. Here’s how to deal with these cases:
No Author:
If there is no clear author, start the citation with the title of the work. For example:
[4] “The Best Buttercream Recipes,” Buttercream Cookbook, 2024.
No Date: If the publication date is missing, write "n.d." (which means "no date") in the citation. For example:
[5] “Buttercream Frosting Tips,” Baking Guide, n.d.
This way, readers can still find the source, even if some details are missing.
Here are the key points to cite quotes in IEEE citations:
Avoid these common errors when using IEEE citations:
Before you finish, use this checklist to make sure your citations are correct:
Before submitting your paper, use this checklist to ensure your IEEE citations are correct:
Checklist | Check |
In-text citations match reference numbers | |
The reference list is in numerical order | |
All sources mentioned in the text are listed | |
Proper format is used for each type of source | |
Author names are listed correctly (first initial, last name) | |
Titles are properly italicized or placed in quotation marks | |
Correct use of punctuation (commas, periods) | |
No missing details (e.g., edition, volume, page numbers) | |
The reference list is labeled “References” (no bold or underlining) | |
Indentation and spacing are consistent | |
Font style and size are consistent (e.g., Times New Roman, 12 pt) | |
URLs for online sources are complete and correct | |
Access dates are included for online sources |
So there you have it!
Using IEEE citations correctly is important for technical writing. It helps you give proper credit and makes your paper more professional. By following the rules, you’ll soon be able to cite sources with confidence!
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You should use IEEE citations when you write in fields like engineering, computer science, and technology. It is often used in academic papers and reports. IEEE citation helps give credit to the sources you use, keeps your work honest, and helps readers find the original materials.
If you are using a writing service like CollegeEssay.org, you can include this information when you place your order. Our writers will make sure your citations are formatted correctly in IEEE style or any other style.
WRITTEN BY
Caleb S. (Education, Literature, Linguistics)
Caleb S. has extensive experience in writing and holds a Masters from Oxford University. He takes great satisfaction in helping students exceed their academic goals. Caleb always puts the needs of his clients first and is dedicated to providing quality service.
Caleb S. has extensive experience in writing and holds a Masters from Oxford University. He takes great satisfaction in helping students exceed their academic goals. Caleb always puts the needs of his clients first and is dedicated to providing quality service.
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