Digital object identifier facts for kids
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| Full name | Digital Object Identifier |
|---|---|
| Acronym | DOI |
| Organisation | International DOI Foundation |
| Introduced | October 1997 |
| Example | 10.1000/182 |
A Digital Object Identifier (DOI) is like a unique, permanent address for online information. Think of it as a special code that helps you find articles, reports, or datasets on the internet. It's used a lot in schools and universities to identify important research.
The DOI system was created in 2000 by the International DOI Foundation (IDF). It helps make sure that even if a website changes its address, you can still find the original document using its DOI. This is much more reliable than a regular web link (URL), which can sometimes stop working. By 2025, over 391 million DOIs had been registered.
Contents
What is a Digital Object Identifier (DOI)?
A DOI is a special code that gives a digital item a permanent name. This name helps people find the item online, no matter where it moves. It's like a barcode for digital content, but it also helps you go directly to the item.
DOIs are used for many types of online materials. These include articles from academic journals, research papers, and official government documents. They are also used for datasets, which are collections of information used in studies.
How DOIs Work: The Parts of a DOI
Every DOI has two main parts: a prefix and a suffix. These parts are separated by a slash (/).
- The prefix identifies the organization that registered the DOI.
- The suffix is chosen by that organization and identifies the specific item.
For example, in the DOI `10.1000/182`:
- `10.1000` is the prefix. It tells you who registered this DOI.
- `182` is the suffix. It points to a specific item, like a book or an article.
These codes can include many different characters. They are not case-sensitive, meaning `DOI` is the same as `doi`.
Where You See DOIs
DOIs can identify many kinds of creative works. This includes texts, images, audio, video, and software. They can also point to performances or even licenses.
You might see a DOI for a whole journal, a single issue of a journal, or just one article. It can even identify a specific table within an article. The organization assigning the DOI decides how detailed it needs to be.
When you see a DOI, it might look like `doi:10.1000/182`. However, many websites now show it as a web link, like `https://doi.org/10.1000/182`. This makes it easier to click and go straight to the content.
Why DOIs Are So Useful
DOIs offer a "persistent identification." This means the DOI for an item stays the same forever. Even if the item moves to a new website, its DOI remains constant. This helps you always find the correct version of the information.
DOIs also link to "metadata." This is information about the item, such as its author, title, and publication date. This metadata helps you learn more about the item before you even open it.
The system is designed to be reliable and flexible. It can adapt to new uses and changes in technology. This ensures that DOIs continue to work well into the future.
How to Use a DOI
The easiest way to use a DOI is to click on it if it's shown as a link. For example, if you see `https://doi.org/10.1000/182`, you can click it. This will take you directly to the online item.
If the DOI is just text, like `doi:10.1000/182`, you can copy it. Then, go to `https://doi.org/` in your web browser. Paste the DOI into the search bar or add it after the slash in the URL (e.g., `https://doi.org/10.1000/182`). This will also take you to the item.
Some special services, like `Unpaywall.org`, can even help you find free versions of articles. These services look for copies that are openly available, even if the main publisher's version costs money.
Who Manages the DOI System?
The International DOI Foundation (IDF) is a non-profit group that manages the DOI system. It was started in 1997. The IDF makes sure that the DOI system works correctly for everyone.
The IDF protects the rules and technology behind DOIs. It also supports new developments and promotes the use of DOIs worldwide. They ensure that any improvements are available to all organizations that use DOIs.
Organizations called "registration agencies" work with the IDF. These agencies help publishers and researchers get DOIs for their content. They also make sure the information linked to each DOI is kept up to date.
DOIs Around the World
The DOI system is an international standard. This means it's recognized and used globally. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) officially approved it in 2012.
Many important organizations use DOIs. These include:
- Publishers of scholarly articles and books (through groups like Crossref).
- Research libraries and data centers for research datasets (through DataCite).
- The European Union for its official publications.
- Chinese academic projects.
- The entertainment industry for audio/visual content (through EIDR).
This widespread use shows how important DOIs are for finding and sharing information reliably.
See also
In Spanish: Identificador de objeto digital para niños
