Persistent identifiers, such as Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs), are essential tools for uniquely identifying and linking to digital objects like research articles, datasets, and other online resources. Here are some key points and tips on how to effectively use DOIs:
What is a DOI?
- Definition: A DOI is a unique alphanumeric string that provides a permanent link to a specific digital object.
- Format: A DOI typically starts with "10." followed by a prefix and a suffix (e.g.,
10.1000/xyz123).
Why Use DOIs?
- Persistent Linking: DOIs provide a stable link that does not change over time, making them more reliable than URLs.
- Citations: Many academic and research institutions prefer the use of DOIs for citations in their publications due to their permanence.
- Metadata: DOIs are associated with rich metadata that helps in discovering and accessing the content.
How to Use DOIs:
- Finding DOIs:
- DOIs can often be found on the publication page of the article or dataset.
- Many databases and platforms, like CrossRef, provide tools to look up DOIs or resolve them.
- Resolving DOIs:
- A DOI can be resolved to a URL using the format
https://doi.org/[DOI]. For example, https://doi.org/10.1000/xyz123.
- Citing with DOIs:
- When citing works in academic writing, using the DOI provides a stable reference. For example, in APA style:
- Author, A. (Year). Title of the work. Journal Name, Volume(Issue), pages. https://doi.org/10.1000/xyz123
- Finding Articles via DOI:
- You can easily retrieve the associated article by entering the DOI in a DOI resolver, like the one provided by CrossRef (http://www.crossref.org/).
- Registering DOIs:
- If you are a publisher or an organization, you can use services from organizations like CrossRef or DataCite to register DOIs for your published content.
Best Practices:
- Always Use the DOI: Prefer DOIs over unstructured URLs in citations.
- Stay Updated: Ensure you are using the latest DOI to avoid broken links.
- Educate Others: Encourage colleagues and students to use DOIs for consistent referencing.
Resources:
- CrossRef: CrossRef.org - A leading organization for DOI registration.
- DataCite: DataCite.org - Focuses on registering DOIs for datasets.
- DOI System: doi.org - General information about DOIs and how they work.
If you have specific questions on how to find or use DOIs in a particular context (like citation management, integration into a website, etc.), feel free to ask!