The Digital Object Identifier (DOI) system is a standardized method used for identifying and accessing digital content, especially in academic and professional publishing. A DOI provides a persistent, unique alphanumeric string that is permanently assigned to a piece of intellectual property—such as a research paper, book, thesis, dataset, or report—so it can be reliably cited and accessed online.
🔹 What is a DOI?
A DOI is a unique identifier for a digital object. It serves two main purposes:
Identification – Each DOI is unique and assigned only to one content item.
Persistent Linking – The DOI provides a permanent web link to the content, even if the content’s location (URL) changes over time.
🔹 Structure of a DOI
A DOI usually looks like this:10.1234/abcd5678
10 is the DOI prefix, which indicates the DOI system.
1234 is the registrant code (unique to the publisher or assigning organization).
abcd5678 is the suffix, chosen by the publisher to identify a specific item.
Example:
DOI: 10.1000/xyz123This could resolve to: https://doi.org/10.1000/xyz123
🔹 Purpose and Importance of DOI
Permanent Accessibility: Unlike URLs that can become obsolete, DOIs always redirect to the latest location of the resource.
Accurate Citation: Academic publishers, universities, and researchers use DOIs in citations to ensure content can always be accessed and verified.
Content Integrity: DOIs are part of a global infrastructure managed by trusted organizations, adding credibility to the research.
Interoperability: DOIs are used across systems (CrossRef, DataCite, ORCID, Scopus, Web of Science, etc.) for indexing, linking, and managing scholarly content.
🔹 Who Issues DOIs?
DOIs are issued by Registration Agencies (RAs) accredited by the International DOI Foundation (IDF). The two most prominent RAs are:
CrossRef – For scholarly and journal articles, books, conference proceedings, etc.
DataCite – For datasets and research data.
These agencies work with publishers and institutions who register content and assign DOIs.
🔹 Use of DOI in Citations
A research article citation using DOI may look like this:
Sharma, S. N. (2024). Urban Transport Policies in India. International Journal of Research, 11(5), 112-120. https://doi.org/10.1234/ijr.2024.05678
Using DOI instead of a simple web address ensures that even if the article moves to a different website, the DOI link will still direct the reader correctly.
🔹 DOI vs URL
🔹 Advantages of DOI for Authors and Publishers
Increased Discoverability: Indexed in academic databases like Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science.
Citation Tracking: Enables tools to track how often and where your work is cited.
Research Impact: Helps build author profiles with verified publication records (ORCID integration).
Global Reach: DOIs are recognized and accessed worldwide, enhancing the visibility of the content.
Credibility: Publication with DOI is often seen as a sign of legitimacy and academic integrity.
🔹 Getting a DOI for Your Work
Authors and researchers typically get a DOI when they publish with:
Academic journals that are CrossRef members
Book publishers who assign DOIs
Institutional repositories (like university archives)
DOI services like Zenodo, Figshare, or through EduPub, Pen2Print, or IJR Journal (as you may be working with)
🔹 Examples of Platforms Using DOI
Google Scholar – indexes and links using DOIs
ORCID – links publications to authors via DOI
CrossRef Metadata Search – searches articles using DOIs
Scopus/Web of Science – bibliographic databases using DOIs for citation tracking
🔹 Final Thoughts
A DOI is more than just a digital label—it’s a critical infrastructure for ensuring trust, accessibility, and continuity in academic publishing. Whether you’re an author, publisher, or researcher, embracing the DOI system ensures your work remains citable, discoverable, and permanent in the digital academic landscape.
