The IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) style is commonly used for research papers in the fields of engineering, physics, and computer science. Some key points about the IEEE format include:
Structure and Components: A standard research paper written in IEEE style should consist of four major sections: title, abstract, main body, and references.
The Title should be centered at the top of the first page. It should be brief but also clearly indicate what the paper is about.
The Abstract appears directly below the title. A brief but thorough summary of the paper, it should consist of between 100-250 words and be a single paragraph. It outlines the overall purpose and scope of the research as well as main findings or conclusions.
The main Body of the text begins on the page following the abstract. It typically includes an introduction, which discusses the topic and outlines the goals and objectives of the research. Then follows the body which presents methods, results, and any analyses. The conclusion wraps things up by briefly summarizing the main findings and their significance.
The References section follows the conclusion. It contains the complete bibliographic information for any in-text citations used in the body. References should be numbered consecutively in the order they appear. For journals, books, websites, etc. different formats are used.
Pagination: Page numbers are required in IEEE style. They are placed at the top or bottom of each page, depending on publisher/journal preferences. Page numbers continue consecutively throughout the entire paper, including references.
Section Headings: Primary sections are centered and boldface (all caps). Secondary headings are flush left and boldface title case. Tertiary headings are flush left, boldface italics title case. Quaternary headings are indented, boldface title case, ending with a period.
Font: The standard font is Times New Roman 12 point. It ensures readability throughout. Some publishers allow alternatives like Arial orCalibri. Font style and size for the title may vary.
Line Spacing: The main text is double spaced, including between paragraphs. References are single spaced with double space between entries. Long quotes are indented from the left margin and single spaced.
Page Margins: One inch is standard for margins on all four sides of the document. This includes top, bottom, left, and right. Some conferences or journals specify narrower margins to conform to page limits.
Heading Levels: Primary sections like Introduction are level 1 headings. Secondary topics under them are level 2. Tertiary subtopics are level 3, and so on, to keep the structure organized. Only the top 4 levels are usually necessary.
Citations: References are cited in the body using sequential numbers in brackets. For example, [4] or [2,7,9]. They are numbered in order of appearance. Alternately, citations can also be embedded in sentence structure.
Figures & Tables: These are placed close after first reference in the text. A short title is provided below each. They are numbered consecutively. High resolution files are required for publication.
Equations: These are centered and numbered consecutively. Equation numbers are placed inside parentheses and aligned flush right. Symbols and variables are defined before equations using regular font.
Acronyms: Define all acronyms and abbreviation on first use. Place in parentheses immediately following the full term. Use the acronym for subsequent mentions.
Writing Tone: Formal language is used. Avoid personal pronouns like “I”, “we”, write in passive voice. Properly introduce ideas, provide context and support. Reference relevant prior work. Clearly link current work to prior results.
Conclusion and Abstract: Wrap up the main points and significance of the study. Relate back to introduction/goals. The conclusion need not introduce new information or ideas. The abstract summarizes the full paper in one brief paragraph using third person phrasing.