Thanks to scientometric databases, electronic libraries, and archives, users have access to a large number of scientific publications, and the DOI identifier facilitates the process of finding and further using them. Today, we will look at what a DOI identifier is, what it is needed for, and what value it has for scientists.
What is a DOI?
A DOI (Digital Object Identifier) is a unique identifier used to identify digital objects such as scientific articles, books, book chapters, data sets, or other types of resources. It provides a permanent and reliable link to an object in the digital environment, making it easy to find, cite and access materials regardless of changes in their web addresses or storage locations.
Where can I find the DOI of a scientific article?
The DOI can be found on the scientific article page on the journal's website – it is usually located near the title, abstract, or in the bibliographic information block. If you download the article in PDF format, pay attention to the first page – the DOI is often indicated there as well.
In addition, you can find the DOI using the Crossref Metadata Search service – just enter the title of the article, the author's name or other key data. In Scopus, Web of Science or Google Scholar databases, the DOI is also usually provided in the article's metadata.
DOI prefix and suffix:
- prefix: identifies the publisher and is assigned after an agreement with the registrar, while the suffix is unique for each object and is determined by the publisher (from the example – 10.1016)
- suffix: usually includes the journal code, volume and article number, using numbers and letters of the Latin alphabet (from the example – j.eujim)
Accordingly, if we combine these two parts, we get the following DOI: 10.1016/j.eujim.
It is important that all publisher materials have unique suffixes, even if their number is unlimited.
Who can assign a DOI?
Organisations, including publishers, can generate and assign unique DOI digital identifiers to scientific materials by signing an agreement with accredited agencies such as Crossref, which is a leader in DOI creation thanks to its extensive network and authority.
Scientific Publications is an official partner and sponsor of Crossref, which authorises it to create international DOIs. This allows scientific articles, journals and other publications to be provided with unique identifiers that facilitate their search, citation and use in the global academic environment.
Why do you need a DOI?
The role of a DOI cannot be overestimated, as it performs a number of important functions, including:
- Ensuring permanent access. Even if a journal or publisher's website changes its structure or address, the DOI remains unchanged and leads to the desired resource.
- Assisting in citation. A DOI allows you to clearly identify the source, which greatly facilitates the formatting of references to scientific works.
- Increasing the visibility of publications. Thanks to the DOI, articles are easier to find in databases such as Scopus or Web of Science.
- Supporting data management. DOI is used to identify not only scientific articles, but also data sets, software, and other digital assets.
How to find an object by DOI?
To access a publication using DOI, simply enter the identifier in the format https://doi.org/prefix/suffix in the browser line.
For example, for DOI 10.1016/j.eujim, enter https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eujim. The system will then redirect you to the web page of the corresponding object.
Please note that sometimes searching for a journal or article by DOI may not yield results. In such cases, it is recommended to use alternative search resources. The most effective way to search for a publication is through scientometric databases.
Advantages of using DOI
Assigning a DOI is not a mandatory procedure in the publication process, but this identifier has a number of advantages that optimise the search for scientific materials and also contribute to their accessibility and visibility.
- Uniqueness. Each DOI is unique and non-repeatable. This ensures that each publication has its own identifier, eliminating confusion when searching or citing.
- Permanence. A DOI remains unchanged even if the content is transferred to another server, platform, or website. This ensures constant access to materials, regardless of changes in their location.
- Integration with databases. DOI facilitates indexing and searching in scientometric databases. This allows researchers to quickly find the materials they need and track their citations.
- Copyright protection. When registering a DOI, a set of metadata is used, including information about the author, title of the work, date of publication, abstract, keywords, and other important details. This data serves as official confirmation of the publication's origin, providing a reliable way to record authorship and protect intellectual property.
- Scientific development. DOI is widely used for open data, articles, and materials, making them accessible to the global scientific community. This supports the principles of open science and makes research more accessible to the global academic community.
DOI is an indispensable tool for scientists, providing reliable and convenient access to publications. It simplifies the search and citation of scientific materials, promoting transparency and openness in science.
If you would like to obtain a DOI, contact Scientific Publications. Our specialists will help you generate and assign an identifier, as well as accompany you at all stages of the process. To learn more about this service, leave your contact details in the form below, and our manager will contact you shortly. Together to new scientific achievements!
