IEEE Xplore: Is It Accurate, Free or a Scam?

Quick Overview

IEEEXplore steps onto the stage of online reference-finding tools with an A*Help score of 56, positioning itself as a platform with a particular focus on electrical engineering, computer science, and related fields. With access to a vast repository of over 6 million documents, including research articles, conference papers, technical standards, and more, IEEEXplore promises a deep dive into the technical and scientific fields. Yet, as we unpacked what this citation finder offers and lacks, we encountered a mix of high-quality resources shadowed by some limitations in search flexibility and user experience.

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Science.gov	Best search filters	88/100	Read review

The Good

Extensive collection of documents across a range of fields
Free access abstracts

The Bad

Limited search results for broader or emerging topics
Citation options are minimal

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Photo of the homepage at IEEE Xplore — *Visiting IEEE Xplore’s main page (click to see a bigger image)*

IEEE Xplore: Searching Quality – 29/50 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

In our exploration of search quality, IEEEXplore displayed a commendable depth in its specified fields, with a comprehensive array of source types including journals, books, and conference proceedings. However, our searches on topics like climate change effects on polar bears and recent discoveries made by Mars rovers yielded surprisingly few results, suggesting a focus on very niche or highly specific research areas. The platform offers access to texts dating from 1884 to 2023, depending on a topic, ensuring a broad historical range, but the lack of citation style support beyond plain text formats somewhat reduces the value for academic writing.

Screenshot of search results at IEEE Xplore (click to see a large image) — *Search results at IEEE Xplore (click to see a large image)*

🔍 SEARCH REQUEST	👍 RELEVANT RESULTS	🏆 FEATURES HIGHLY-CITED SOURCES
Climate change effects on Polar bears	❌	❌
Newest data on Mars rover findings	❌	❌

IEEE Xplore: Value for money – 9/25 ⭐️⭐️

IEEEXplore delivers inconsistent results in terms of value for money. Accessing documents requires either institutional credentials or purchasing individual articles, which might not be the most cost-effective option for all users. The cost of $14.95 for members and $33 for non-members per article can add up quickly, particularly for extensive research projects. The free features are limited to searching and accessing abstract records, which, while useful, might not justify the platform’s use without further investment.

4/10

Subscription cost

2/5

Free features

IEEE Xplore: Overall Experience – 16/25 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Our overall experience with IEEEXplore was a journey of highs and lows. The registration process is straightforward, but the interface’s cluttered design and oversized fonts can make navigation a challenge, especially on laptops or desktops with smaller screens. Despite these issues, the platform does offer functionality for saving to “my research projects,” citing in plain text and special formats like BibTeX and RIS and sharing and copying capabilities. However, the absence of integration with popular reference management tools and the platform’s overall speed and efficiency could be areas for improvement.

Screenshot of "My Research Projects" page at IEEEXplore (click to see a large image) — *“My Research Projects” page at IEEEXplore (click to see a large image)*

4/10

User experience

3/5

Speed and efficiency

8/8

Mobile accessibility

Conclusion

In our opinion, IEEEXplore is a platform with a lot of potential, especially for those deeply rooted in the technical and scientific community, offering unparalleled access to a vast array of specialized documents. However, it’s like a specialized tool in your toolkit—valuable in certain scenarios but not quite the Swiss Army knife for every research need. Its appeal may wane for users in need of broader, more generalized research tools or those seeking more user-friendly citation options. For niche scientific and technical content, IEEEXplore stands out, but for users with diverse research needs or those looking for a more intuitive and cost-effective tool, it might not hit the mark.

FAQ

IEEE Xplore Reviews

Our comprehensive review, enriched by user feedback from various sources and our direct experience, presents IEEEXplore as a robust resource for specialized fields. However, it highlights the need for improvements in user experience and search versatility to broaden its appeal.

Is IEEE Xplore a scam?

No, IEEEXplore is a reputable platform backed by the IEEE, providing legitimate access to a wealth of scientific and technical content.

Is IEEE Xplore legit?

Absolutely, IEEEXplore is a legitimate and valuable resource for professionals and students in electrical engineering, computer science, and related disciplines.

Is IEEE Xplore safe?

Yes, IEEEXplore is safe to use, offering secure access to its documents and materials.

Is IEEE Xplore trustworthy?

IEEEXplore is trustworthy, delivering on its promise to provide access to an extensive range of scientific and technical documents.

Is IEEE Xplore a good service?

For users with specific needs within its focus areas, IEEEXplore offers excellent service. However, its limitations in search flexibility and user interface may detract from its utility for a broader audience.

IEEE Xplore Specs

> Quality and Variety of Sources
journals			✅
books			✅
conferences			✅
> Comprehensiveness (study types, domains)
access to full texts or abstracts			✅
Relevance (Up-to-Date Information)			✅
> Citation Formatting
MLA			❌
APA			❌
Chicago			❌
Harvard			❌
Other styles			❌
Subscription Cost / pricing
			IEEE members receive a discounted price of US$14.95 on single IEEE article purchases made through IEEE Xplore. Articles from partner publishers are US$34 per article.
> User experience
saving			✅
copying			✅
sharing			✅
Integration with Reference Management Tools			❌
search functionality and filtering options			✅
AI assistant			❌
> Support
live chat			❌
blog			✅
help center			✅

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