DOI

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

A Digital Object Identifier (DOI) is a unique alphanumeric string assigned to a digital object, such as a journal article, report, or data set, to provide a permanent link to its location on the internet. The DOI system is widely used in academic publishing to ensure that digital content can be reliably cited and accessed over time.

History

The DOI system was developed in the late 1990s by the International DOI Foundation (IDF) in response to the need for a consistent method of identifying and accessing digital content. The system was officially launched in 2000 and has since become a standard tool in scholarly publishing.

Structure

A DOI is composed of two parts: a prefix and a suffix, separated by a slash. The prefix is assigned to an organization, such as a publisher or institution, while the suffix is chosen by the organization to uniquely identify the specific object. For example, in the DOI "10.1000/xyz123", "10.1000" is the prefix and "xyz123" is the suffix.

Functionality

DOIs are used to provide a persistent link to digital content. When a DOI is registered, it is associated with metadata about the object, including its location (URL), title, author, and other relevant information. This metadata is stored in a central database and can be updated if the location of the object changes, ensuring that the DOI link remains valid.

Applications

DOIs are primarily used in academic publishing to identify journal articles, conference papers, books, and other scholarly works. They are also used for datasets, reports, and other types of digital content. The use of DOIs facilitates citation, discovery, and access to scholarly materials.

Benefits

• Persistence: DOIs provide a stable and permanent link to digital content, even if the location of the content changes.
• Interoperability: DOIs are widely recognized and used across different platforms and systems, making them a universal tool for digital identification.
• Discoverability: The metadata associated with a DOI enhances the discoverability of the content through search engines and databases.

How to Use DOIs

To use a DOI, simply append it to the URL "https://doi.org/". For example, the DOI "10.1000/xyz123" can be accessed at "https://doi.org/10.1000/xyz123".

See Also

• ISBN
• ISSN
• ORCID

References

• International DOI Foundation. "About the DOI System." Retrieved from [1].
• CrossRef. "What is a DOI?" Retrieved from [2].

External Links

• International DOI Foundation
• CrossRef