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Also known as: DOI
A persistent identifier system assigning unique alphanumeric strings to digital objects, ensuring durable linking and citation across the web.
DESCRIPTION
The Digital Object Identifier (DOI) system provides globally unique, persistent identifiers for content such as articles, datasets, and reports. DOIs resolve to landing pages with metadata and access information, supporting citation and discovery. Managed by Registration Agencies like Crossref and DataCite, DOIs are standardized by ISO 26324. They enable consistent references across publishers, repositories, and academic workflows. Widespread adoption makes DOIs foundational to scholarly communication and data sharing.
ALTERNATIVE DEFINITIONS
International DOI Foundation
A DOI name is a unique alphanumeric string assigned by a registration agency to identify content and provide a persistent link to its location on the internet.
Highlights registration agencies and persistence of links to content.
Crossref
A DOI, or Digital Object Identifier, is a string of letters, numbers, and symbols used to permanently identify an article and link to it on the web.
Focuses on scholarly articles and permanence of linking to web locations.
RELATED TERMS
Persistent Identifier Crossref DataCite Citation ORCID Resolver URN Metadata Landing Page
COMPETING TERMS
KNOWLEDGE AREAS
Metadata Management Document & Content Management Data Management Data Integration & Interoperability
TARGET AUDIENCE
Data Steward Information Analyst Data Scientist Data Governance Manager Data Management Consultant
EXTERNAL SOURCES
- Wikipedia - Digital object identifier
- International DOI Foundation - Comprehensive DOI system guide
- DataCite - DOI basics for datasets
- Crossref - DOI registration and metadata
TOP QUESTIONS
Why are DOIs widely used in research?
They provide persistent, resolvable identifiers for scholarly works, enabling reliable citation, discovery, and linking across publishers and repositories.
Category: Relevancy
How does a DOI resolve?
Via DOI resolvers, the DOI redirects to a landing page hosting metadata and access information about the identified object.
Category: Mechanism
Who issues DOIs?
Registration Agencies like Crossref and DataCite assign DOIs and manage associated metadata and resolution infrastructure.
Category: Governance
What metadata accompanies a DOI?
Title, creators, publication venue, dates, identifiers, and links are common fields supporting discovery and citation.
Category: Metadata
What are common DOI mistakes?
Linking to PDFs instead of landing pages, missing metadata updates, and broken resolver targets undermine persistence and discoverability.
Category: Mistakes
How do DOIs differ from URLs?
DOIs are persistent identifiers with resolvers and governance; URLs are location-based and prone to change or break.
Category: Comparison
Can datasets have DOIs?
Yes, repositories commonly mint DOIs for datasets to support citation, reproducibility, and data reuse.
Category: UseCases
What standard governs DOIs?
ISO 26324 specifies the DOI system, its components, and processes for persistent identification and resolution.
Category: Standards
How do publishers integrate DOIs?
They register DOIs with metadata at publication time and maintain landing pages and updates throughout the content lifecycle.
Category: Practices