DOI stands for Digital Object Identifier, and is a unique string of characters that identifies an online object, such as a research article. A DOI name is permanently assigned to an object to provide a permanent, standardized link to information about that object, including where the object can be found on the Internet. While information about an object can change over time, its DOI name will not change.

This is particularly important for research articles, as URLs can change or become inactive over time. For example, an article might be published at website.com/articles/articlename. If the journal later changes its name to website2.com, the previous URL will no longer work. Or, if the journal changes the organization of the site, the article may now be listed under website.com/research/articlename. If that article has a DOI, however, it can be found no matter what.

Research article, editorial, or other material published in a journal

Many journals automatically create DOIs when material is published. Check on the published page to see if there is an existing DOI. If the journal does not automatically create a DOI, see if you can also post your material to our repository, Digital Collections. Items in Digital Collections can receive a DOI on request.

Data, preprints, and other unpublished material

You can upload your work to a repository that provides DOIs. Please select the Where should I publish? tab on the left for more information about repositories for unpublished material.

Journals, repositories, websites, or other publishers

If you are interested in acquiring DOIs for materials on your website, you must go through a DOI Registration Agency. DOI Registration Agencies can help you create DOIs for everything you publish.