The ability to trace and keep track of scientific publications and data is essential, and this is where digital object identifiers (DOIs) come into play. DOIs are unique links assigned to digital objects, such as research articles, that make it easier for researchers to access, cite, and reference scholarly resources. However, not everyone entering the academic world knows how to use DOIs in research. In this article, we answer common questions like what is a digital object identifier, how do DOIs work in research, and how can early career researchers utilize DOIs effectively.
What is a Digital Object Identifier (DOI)?
There is an enormous amount of research being published globally today and the burden of keeping abreast of published research, both in print and online, lies with researchers. In fact, while conducting an online literature search many of you might have clicked on an article link only to get alerts like ‘page not found’, which leaves you at a dead end. This happens when website pages are updated in a way that disrupts links to the article. Thankfully, dealing with these broken links are less problematic now because of DOIs in research.
DOIs are unique alphanumeric strings assigned to digital objects, typically a research publication, scientific data, and academic reports. It acts as a permanent, persistent link to the object and remains unchanged even if the URL or location of the object changes. DOIs in research are widely used to ensure the accessibility and reliability of scholarly resources.
The prefix and suffix in a DOI, separated by a forward slash, serve specific purposes in identifying and locating digital objects. The prefix is assigned by the registration agency. For example, the prefix “10.” is commonly used for DOIs in research publications. The DOI suffix is the remaining alphanumeric characters that point to the publisher or creator of the digital object.
How do DOIs work and benefit researchers?
The digital object identifier system consists of two components – the prefix and the suffix – which together create a unique identifier for digital objects. The DOI prefix is assigned by a registration agency, while the DOI suffix (alphanumeric characters) is determined by the publisher or creator of the digital object. The prefix 10. is commonly used for DOIs in research publications, while the suffix of DOIs in research may include information such as journal article metadata, publication year, version number, or other relevant details.
DOIs in research present several benefits for academics:
- Persistent identification: DOIs provide a permanent identification system for digital objects. Unlike URLs, which can change or break over time, DOIs in research provide stable, long-term links to scholarly sources, enhancing the reliability and traceability of research publications.
- Ease of access: DOIs simplify the process of accessing research articles and datasets. By clicking on a DOI link, researchers can directly access digital objects, regardless of its location or the journal’s website. This saves time and eliminates the frustration of having to deal with incorrect, broken, or outdated links.
- Enhanced citations: DOIs in research play a crucial role in accurate and efficient citation practices. Including DOIs in research references allows readers to locate and retrieve the cited work quickly. Moreover, publishers often require DOIs in bibliographic information, ensuring proper attribution and citation of research sources.
- Cross-platform compatibility: DOIs are platform-independent, meaning they work across different digital environments and publishing platforms. This interoperability of DOIs in research ensures that scholars can access and cite resources across databases, repositories, and scholarly platforms, regardless of their preferred research tools or platforms.
Difference between URLs and DOIs in research
A URL is found in the address bar of your internet browser. It specifies the location of the digital information on the internet. Researchers need to know that URLs can change, often leading to broken or orphaned links especially when archival materials are being referred to. On the other hand, digital object identifiers remain intact; even if a web page gets updated, the DOI in research will point users to the new location where the research work or data is being hosted.
Using DOIs in research references
When citing a resource with a DOI in research, it is important to format the reference correctly. The following guidelines can help early career researchers effectively utilize DOIs in research references:
- Format: DOIs are typically presented as a URL-like string, starting with “https://doi.org/.” For example, a DOI in research might appear as “https://doi.org/10.12345/abcdef.”
- Inclusion in references: When including DOIs in research references, it is advisable to place the DOI at the end of the reference entry. For instance, in APA style, the DOI would be added after the page numbers, preceded by “doi:” or “https://doi.org/.” Example: Smith, J. D. (2022). Title of Article. Journal of Research, 24(3), 45-67. doi:10.12345/abcdef.
- Retrieval dates: Unlike URLs, DOIs do not require retrieval dates in references. Since DOIs are persistent, retrieval dates are unnecessary.
By understanding and embracing DOIs in research, scholars and academics can navigate the vast world of scholarly resources with greater efficiency and effectiveness. We hope the information in this article will help you not only understand DOIs in research, but also its many benefits, and how to use DOIs effectively in your research.
