What is the correct IEEE reference page format for citing sources in a research paper?

There isn't one single "IEEE reference page format". IEEE's citation style, more accurately referred to as IEEE referencing, uses a numerical citation system in the text and a list of references at the end. The format of the references themselves depends on the *type* of source (journal article, book, conference proceedings, website, etc.). There are also slight variations depending on the specific IEEE standard being followed (e.g., some older standards might have different formatting rules than newer ones). However, the general principles and common formats are consistent.

Key Features of IEEE Referencing:

* Numerical Citations in Text: Sources are cited in the text using bracketed numbers, sequentially ordered as they appear. For example: [1], [2, 3], [4–7].

* References Section: A numbered list of references appears at the end of the document, corresponding to the numerical citations in the text. Each entry in the list provides complete bibliographic information.

* Order of Information within References: Each reference entry follows a specific order of elements (author(s), title, publication details, etc.) The exact order and punctuation vary depending on the source type.

General Structure of a Reference Entry (examples):

While the precise format changes depending on the source type, the general structure remains similar:

* Journal Article:

```

[1] Author A, Author B, "Title of Article," *Title of Journal*, vol. x, no. y, pp. z-zz, Month Year.

```

* Book:

```

[2] Author A, Author B, *Title of Book*, Edition. City, State: Publisher, Year.

```

* Conference Proceeding:

```

[3] Author A, Author B, "Title of Paper," in *Proceedings of Conference Name*, City, State, Year, pp. z-zz.

```

* Website: (Note: Website citations often require more detail to ensure accuracy and retrievability)

```

[4] Author A (if available), "Title of Page," Website Name, [Online]. Available: URL [Accessed Date].

```

Where to Find the Precise Formatting Rules:

For the most accurate and up-to-date formatting guidelines, you should consult:

* IEEE Xplore Digital Library: Search for "IEEE Citation Style Guide" or similar terms. IEEE frequently updates its standards, so checking their official website is crucial.

* Your University/Institution's Style Guide: Many universities provide their own style guides that adapt IEEE (or other styles) to their specific requirements.

* Citation Management Software: Tools like Zotero, Mendeley, or EndNote can automatically format your references according to IEEE style if you input the source details correctly.

Important Note: Consistency is paramount. Once you choose a specific IEEE standard (or a university-adapted version), stick to it rigorously throughout your entire paper. Inconsistent formatting is a common error that detracts from the professionalism of your work.