IEEE

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) is one of the most commonly used citation styles in the hard sciences, for example computer science. Generally, citations are numbered in the text and reference list at the end of the paper. The basic citation format uses the reference number placed inside square brackets, for example [4] or [4, p. 22].

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In-text citation examples

Parenthetical Paper formatting is a source of frustration for students [4], [5].
Narrative Scott and Burrow [12] contend… or Xu et al. [11] argue…
Parenthetical with three or more sources [6], [7], [8], [9]

IEEE Reference List Basics

Some general rules are that references are always numbered in order of citation with the paper, reference begin with author initials first then the last name, the reference numbers are placed in square brackets, reference numbers should hang off the main body of text in their own column within the left margin, all references end with a period except those with URLs.

Most Common Reference Examples

Journal articles (Online)

A. A. Author, B. B. Author, and C. C. Author, "Title of the article". Abbreviated Title of Journal, vol. x, no. x, pp. xxx–xxx, Abbrev. Month, year. Accessed: Month, Day, Year, doi: 10.1109.XXX.123456. [Online]. Available: site/path/file

Books

A. A. Author, “Title of chapter in the book,” in Title of Published Book, xth ed. City of Publisher, (only U.S. State), Country: Abbrev. of Publisher, year, ch. x, sec. x, pp. xxx–xxx.

Webstie

A. A. Author. “Page Title.” Website Title. Date Accessed. [Online]. Available: Web Address.

University lecture

A.A. Author. (Year). Title of lecture [Type of Medium]. Available: URL

Common IEEE mistakes