As an academic researcher, you may have heard of DOI but may not fully understand it and how to use it in your research. In this guide, we will comprehensively explain what DOI is, its importance, and how to use it effectively.
DOI stands for Digital Object Identifier. It is a unique identifier assigned to a digital object such as a journal article, book chapter, or dataset. DOI was developed to provide a permanent link to a digital object, ensuring it can always be accessed and identified, even if the URL changes over time.
Table of Contents
What is a DOI?
A Digital Object Identifier (DOI) is a unique identifier assigned to a digital object such as a scholarly article, book, or dataset. The purpose of a DOI is to provide a persistent and permanent link to the digital object that remains consistent even if the location or URL of the object changes over time.
The Importance of DOI in Research:
DOI is an essential part of scholarly communication. It provides a standard and unique way of identifying and citing research output. This ensures that research can be found, accessed, and cited accurately, even if the object’s URL changes over time. DOI also helps to prevent link rot, a phenomenon where links to digital objects become obsolete over time, making it difficult to access the object.
How do DOIs work?
DOIs are assigned by a registration agency responsible for maintaining the integrity and persistence of the identifier. When a digital object is assigned a DOI, it is registered with the agency, and the DOI is embedded in the object’s metadata.
When users want to access the object, they must use the DOI to locate it. The DOI system acts as a bridge between the user and the object’s location, redirecting the user to the object’s current location, even if it has moved from its original location.
How are DOIs assigned?
Registration agencies, such as CrossRef or DataCite, assign DOIs. These agencies are responsible for ensuring the integrity and persistence of the DOI system.
A publisher or author must register with a registration agency to obtain a DOI and pay a fee. Once registered, the DOI is embedded in the digital object’s metadata and made available for discovery and access.
How to Use DOI:
Creating a DOI:
If you are a publisher or a repository, you can create a DOI for your digital object by registering with a DOI registration agency. Several DOI registration agencies exist, including Crossref, DataCite, and mEDRA. These agencies provide a platform for writing and managing DOI, ensuring they are unique and persistent.
Finding a DOI:
You can use a DOI resolver if you want to find a DOI for a particular digital object. A DOI resolver is a service that converts a DOI to its corresponding URL. Some common DOI resolvers include Crossref, DataCite, and DOI.org.
The Benefits of Using DOI:
Persistent Linking:
DOI provides a persistent link to a digital object, ensuring it can always be accessed and identified, even if the URL changes over time. This helps to prevent link rot and ensures that research can be found, accessed, and cited accurately.
Improved Discoverability:
DOI also helps to improve the discoverability of research. Many search engines, databases, and indexing services use DOI to identify and index research output. This makes it easier for researchers to find relevant research and for research to be discovered by a wider audience.
Citation Tracking:
DOI allows for accurate and reliable citation tracking. By including a DOI in a citation, researchers can easily track the impact of their research and identify how often it has been cited.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the difference between DOI and URL?
DOI and URL are two different things. A URL is a web address that points to a digital object, whereas a DOI is a unique identifier that provides a persistent link to a digital object. The main difference is that a URL can change over time, while a DOI remains the same.
Is DOI free to use?
DOI is not free to use. DOI registration agencies charge a fee for registering and managing DOI. The price varies depending on the agency and the number of DOI reported.
Can I assign DOI to my unpublished work?
DOI is typically assigned to published works such as journal articles, books, and datasets. However, some DOI registration agencies also allow for assigning DOI to unpublished works such as dissertations, theses, and conference papers.
How do I know if an article has a DOI?
You can usually find a DOI for an article on the first page or the article’s abstract page. You can also use a DOI resolver to find a DOI for a particular article.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) play a critical role in academic publishing by providing a persistent and permanent link to digital objects such as scholarly articles, books, and datasets. DOIs make it easier for researchers to cite and reference the work of others, as well as for publishers to track and measure the impact of their publications. As a leading SEO and high-end copywriter, we hope this comprehensive guide on DOIs has provided you with valuable insights on this critical topic.