LibAnswers

The Library and Learning Centre can now provide researchers with a Digital Object identifier, or DOI, for their publications or datasets.  The LLC has a subscription to CrossRef which enables the generation of DOIs for publications, and also with DataCite, which provides the same service for datasets.

A digital object identifier (DOI) is a string of characters which uniquely identifies an object. DOIs are often used for journal papers but can also be used for other publications and datasets.

• DOIs for research data are administered by an international organisation called DataCite.
• DOIs for publications are administered by an international organisation called CrossRef.
• The British Library provides the UK node of DataCite.
• DOIs are particularly useful because they can easily be turned into DOI links.  In other words, they both identify an object and take you to it (or to an internet page which tells you how to access the object).  Any changes in location are updated in the central registry of DOIs.

Giving your data or publication a DOI:

• means that usage of your data/publication can be followed as others use and cite it.
• makes the data/publication uniquely identifiable.
• means you will always be identified as the creator of the cited data/publication.
• means your data/publication can always be located with a simple web search.

Pubishers normally assign DOIs to the items they publish, and are currently most employed in journal articles.  The LLC can supply DOIs for in-house publications, produced within the University, either within PURE, or another University data store.

Obtaining a unique identifier for your publication: ISBNs and DOIs

For datasets - contact Philippa Sterlini at 01382 381141 or e-mail discovery@dundee.ac.uk