Citelle · Library
IEEE: cite a report
A source-specific IEEE example, the details to collect and the checks needed for a report.
Choose the actual source form
Identify the report as a publication in its own right. Record the responsible author or organization, title, date, publisher and any supplied report number. For technical reports, a sponsor, performing organization and publisher can be different bodies.
Use the named convention
Keep the numbered reference connected to the work it identifies. The example uses reference number 1 to make the structure easy to read; a real reference list must use the numbering and source-specific form required by the destination publication.
- The technical report number remains part of the reference.
- Publisher/organization details are not inferred from a website address.
Gather the source details
- Inspect the report’s title and publication pages.
- Record an actual individual or organizational author.
- Keep any supplied report number with the source.
- Verify which organization published the work and which version you read.
- Author
- Maya Stone
- Title as supplied
- A sample report
- Publication year
- 2024
- Publisher
- Example Institute
- Awarding or responsible institution
- Example Institute
- Report number
- 17
- Publication place
- London
An independently written example
This fictional source lists a city but does not supply a country for the publication or institution location. Treat the reference as incomplete until you have checked the actual source location. A city name alone does not establish the country.
[1] M. Stone, “A sample report,” Example Institute, London, Tech. Rep. 17, 2024.
Review the part that is easy to miss
A funding body is not automatically the author or publisher. A report number is not a journal issue, and a distributor should not silently replace the issuing organization.
Check the source form, supplied abbreviations, edition, location and identifier. A journal article, a published conference paper, a live presentation and a technical report have different requirements even when their titles are similar.
Check the publication location
Check the country in the publisher or institution’s stated location. Do not infer a country from a city name or use this city-only example as a complete reference.
Keep the source record with you
Use Citelle to keep bibliographic details and prepare reference drafts on your phone. Compare the final entry with the actual work and the convention required by your instructor or publisher before submitting it.