Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) have become a vital part of modern research, providing a persistent and unique identifier for digital objects such as research papers, datasets, and software.

Digital Object Identifiers help to ensure that digital objects can be easily cited, located, and referenced, improving the accuracy and impact of research. However, working with DOIs can be challenging, and there are common mistakes that researchers need to avoid.

In this post, we will explore the most frequently asked questions about DOIs, including how to cite DOIs in research articles, and the difference between Digital Object Identifiers and ORCID identifiers. I will also provide tips for avoiding common mistakes when working with DOIs.

By the end of this post, you will have a comprehensive understanding of DOIs and how to use them effectively in your research, improving the accuracy and impact of your work.

Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) provide a persistent link to a specific research publication or dataset, even as the content moves across different platforms or websites. DOIs are assigned by registration agencies such as Crossref, and are typically displayed on the first page of a publication, along with the publication’s metadata.

To understand how Digital Object Identifiers work, let’s take the example of a journal article. When a new article is published, the journal publisher registers the article with a DOI registration agency like Crossref. The registration agency assigns a unique alphanumeric string to the article, which becomes its DOI.

The Digital Object Identifiers is then added to the article’s metadata, along with other information about the article such as the title, author(s), publication date, and abstract. When someone wants to find the article online, they can use the DOI to locate it, even if the article has moved to a different URL.

For example, suppose you’re researching a topic and come across a citation for a journal article that looks interesting. You can use the Digital Object Identifiersto locate the article, even if the journal has moved the article to a new URL.

You can either enter the Digital Object Identifiers into a search engine like Google Scholar, or go directly to the DOI registration agency’s website and enter the DOI into the search box. The registration agency will then provide a link to the article or other relevant information.

Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) are widely used in research publications, making them easy to find and use in your own work. Here are some steps for finding and using DOIs in your own research:

1. Look for the DOI on the first page of the publication: Many research publications include the DOI on the first page, along with other publication information such as the title, author(s), and publication date. Look for the DOI in this section of the publication.
2. Check the DOI registration agency’s website: If you can’t find the DOI on the first page of the publication, you can try looking it up on the DOI registration agency’s website. Many registration agencies, such as Crossref, offer a search feature that allows you to look up DOIs for specific publications.
3. Use the DOI in your citations: When citing a research publication, include the DOI in your citation along with other publication information such as the title, author(s), publication date, and journal or book title. Here’s an example of how to cite a journal article with a DOI:

To cite a Digital Object Identifiers in your research article, you can use the following format:

Author(s). Title of article. Title of Journal, volume number(issue number), page numbers. DOI.

For example:

Smith, J. and Jones, L. The effects of climate change on biodiversity. Nature, 485(7399), 87-90. doi: 10.1038/nature11018.

In this example, the author names are listed first, followed by the title of the article. The title of the journal is listed next, followed by the volume number and issue number in parentheses. The page numbers of the article are then listed. Finally, the DOI is listed at the end of the citation.

If your research article is referencing a book or other type of content that has a DOI, you can follow a similar format:

Author(s). Title of book. Publisher. DOI.

For example:

Johnson, T. The history of medicine. Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/med/9780199215491.001.0001.

It’s important to note that the specific citation format may depend on the citation style used in your field of study. Be sure to check with your professor or journal guidelines for specific formatting requirements.

4. Use DOIs to track citation metrics: If you’re a researcher, you can use DOIs to track the impact of your own work by measuring citation metrics such as the h-index, impact factor, and citation count. Many citation databases, such as Scopus and Web of Science, allow you to search for publications by their DOIs and track citation metrics for individual works. I have written a separate article on How to Change Author Name on a Previously Published Research Paper?. This article will guide you through the steps required for an author name change on a research paper.

By following these steps, you can easily find and use DOIs in your own research, making it easier to locate and cite specific works, track citation metrics, and ensure the long-term accessibility of research content.

To register a DOI independently, you will need to use the services of a DOI registration agency. There are several DOI registration agencies that provide DOI registration services, including Crossref, DataCite, and mEDRA, among others. Here are the general steps you can follow to register a DOI independently:

1. Choose a DOI registration agency: Research and choose a DOI registration agency that best fits your needs. Consider factors such as cost, service level, and the types of content that the agency can register DOIs for.
2. Create an account: Once you have selected a DOI registration agency, create an account on their website. This may require you to provide personal and/or organizational information.
3. Register your content: Follow the registration process on the DOI registration agency’s website to register your content. This may involve providing information about the content, such as the title, authors, publication date, and publisher. You may also need to upload a digital object or file that corresponds to the content.
4. Pay fees: Many DOI registration agencies charge fees for registering DOIs. Make sure to review the fees associated with your chosen agency and budget accordingly.
5. Receive your DOI: After completing the registration process and paying any associated fees, you will receive a unique DOI for your content. This DOI can then be used to identify and cite your content in other research publications and databases.

Note that the specific steps for registering a DOI may vary depending on the DOI registration agency you choose. It’s important to carefully review the registration process and follow the instructions provided by your chosen agency.

No, a single research article or dataset should only be assigned one DOI (Digital Object Identifier). DOIs are intended to provide a persistent and unique identifier for a specific digital object, such as an article or dataset. Assigning multiple DOIs to the same object could lead to confusion and errors in citing or referencing the object, and may cause problems with discoverability or linking.

However, it’s worth noting that some research outputs may have multiple components that each require a separate DOI. For example, a research dataset may consist of multiple files or subsets that each require a separate DOI. In this case, each component of the dataset should be assigned its own unique DOI.

Additionally, it’s possible for an object to be assigned a new DOI if significant changes are made to the object, such as changes to the data or metadata. However, this should only be done in cases where the changes are substantial enough to warrant a new identifier, and the original DOI should be retained and linked to the new DOI to maintain a record of the object’s history.

However, if an author has worked with one concept but has the intention of writing multiple papers and submitting them to multiple conferences without any legal or ethical issues, then there are certain unique strategies that one can adopt. I have written two blog posts that will teach you those unique strategies that will guide you to achieve this goal. Please follow the link below for further details.

The Secret to Writing 10 Research Papers on One Concept: An Ultimate Guide for Researchers

4 Simple Tricks to Submit the Same Research Paper to Different Conferences

The metadata associated with a DOI (Digital Object Identifier) can typically be found by resolving the DOI using a DOI resolver service. A DOI resolver is a web service that provides a standardized way to look up and retrieve the metadata associated with a DOI. The metadata can include information about the digital object the DOI identifies, such as the title, author(s), publication date, publisher, and digital location.

To find the metadata associated with a DOI, you can follow these steps:

1. Copy the DOI you want to look up. The DOI is usually presented as a string of numbers and letters, preceded by “doi:” or “https://doi.org/“.
2. Go to a DOI resolver website, such as doi.org or crossref.org. These websites allow you to enter the DOI into a search box to look up its associated metadata.
3. Paste the DOI into the search box on the DOI resolver website and click the search button.
4. The website should display the metadata associated with the DOI. The specific information provided may vary depending on the type of digital object the DOI identifies.

Alternatively, some research databases or publishing platforms may provide direct links to the metadata associated with a DOI. For example, a journal article that has been assigned a DOI may provide a link to the DOI resolver service in the article’s metadata, allowing readers to quickly and easily access the associated metadata.

Working with DOIs (Digital Object Identifiers) can be straightforward, but there are some common mistakes to avoid to ensure the accurate and effective use of DOIs. Here are some common mistakes to watch out for:

1. Incorrect formatting: DOIs have a specific format that includes a prefix (often “10.”), a unique string of numbers and letters, and a suffix that indicates the resource type. Make sure that you include the entire DOI, with no typos or missing characters.
2. Confusing DOIs with URLs: While DOIs and URLs (Uniform Resource Locators) are both used to identify digital content, they serve different purposes. DOIs are intended to provide a persistent and unique identifier for a specific digital object, while URLs are used to locate that object on the web. Make sure that you are using the appropriate identifier for the purpose you need.
3. Using DOIs inconsistently: To ensure the accuracy and consistency of your references, use DOIs consistently throughout your work. This means including DOIs for all digital objects that have them, and avoiding the use of multiple identifiers for the same object.
4. Not updating DOIs: If you make significant changes to a digital object, such as updating the data or metadata, you may need to assign a new DOI to the updated version. Make sure to update the associated metadata and reference lists accordingly.
5. Not citing DOIs correctly: When citing a digital object that has a DOI, make sure to include the DOI in the citation. Check the citation style guide you are using for the correct format.
6. Not resolving DOIs: To ensure that your references are accurate and up-to-date, make sure to resolve DOIs to their associated metadata when citing or referencing digital objects.

By avoiding these common mistakes, you can ensure that your use of DOIs is accurate and effective, helping to improve the accuracy and impact of your research.

Here are some additional resources for researchers who want to learn more about DOIs:

1. Crossref website: The Crossref website provides a wealth of information on DOIs, including how to register DOIs for research content, how to retrieve metadata associated with DOIs, and how to use DOIs to enhance the discoverability and accessibility of research publications. The website also offers a variety of resources, such as webinars, case studies, and FAQs, to help researchers better understand DOIs and how they can be used in research.
2. DataCite website: The DataCite website is another useful resource for researchers who want to learn more about DOIs. DataCite is an international organization that provides DOIs for research data, making it easier for researchers to share and access research data across different disciplines and platforms. The DataCite website offers a variety of resources, such as guides, webinars, and FAQs, to help researchers better understand DOIs for research data.
3. Digital Object Identifier System Handbook: The Digital Object Identifier System Handbook is a comprehensive guide to the DOI system, offering detailed information on how DOIs work, how to register DOIs for different types of content, and how to use DOIs to enhance the accessibility and discoverability of research publications. The handbook is available online and can be downloaded for free.
4. CrossRef YouTube channel: The CrossRef YouTube channel offers a variety of videos on DOIs, including tutorials on how to register DOIs, how to use DOIs to enhance research publications, and how to retrieve metadata associated with DOIs. The channel also features interviews with researchers and publishers on how they use DOIs in their work.

These are just a few of the many resources available for researchers who want to learn more about DOIs. By using these resources, researchers can better understand how DOIs work, how they can be used to enhance the impact and accessibility of research, and how to register DOIs for their own research publications and resources.