Digital object identifier: The DOI

Have you ever thought about the alphanumeric link often at end of a reference? What is purpose this, and why it now required with references to journal articles in most reference styles? That called digital object identifier, or DOI, may be important part for discovering, managing, linking scholarly content objects. The DOI unique string assigned other that exist wholly partially form. DOIs act similarly URLs weblinks yet differ persistence, stability, interoperability range metadata schema. are applied objects by registrant-assigner (typically publisher research organization) via forms created managed International Foundation (IDF) (https://www.doi.org/) registering agencies. Adoption as highly recommended addition has grown globally many world regions seeking join this growth benefit from use.1, 2 development implementation began late 1990s early 2000s.3 Born-digital (e.g., published digitally before instead print) matter course older materials retroactively receiving they cited digitized. field allows users reach homepage given article, dataset, database pages (such PubMed CINAHL), article lists, locations click on link. Of note, Nurse Author & Editor considered “born-digital content” transition Wiley Online Library summer 2021. Older have all been retroactively. links intended provide persistent identifier an individual such dataset regardless its location. In words, if webpage URL changes, will remain consistent, work associated can still found minimal searching. increasingly fast-paced nursing publication, quickly effectively locating sources through boon. Nursing scholars noted value usage increased discoverability, management, interlinking communications sources.4-6 following links, management software programs, Zotero, integrated retrieval features automatically search retrieve one list based (see Figure 1). By copy-pasting reference, engine content. Zotero's feature Several agencies facilitate infrastructure services—frequently dependent material type geographic region.6, 7 Though majority types textual, datasets, physical objects, non-article born-digital Git code) also them. IDF manages DOI® System non-profit membership organization governs federation registration providing services registration. Standardization systems, which adheres, including creation, provided Organization (ISO) ISO 26324:2012 (https://www.iso.org/standard/43506.html). provides identifiers used articles. Research organizations wishing participate system apply account agency. With their membership, prefix distinguishing outputs organizations. currently includes over 5,000 assigners who 257 million 150,000 prefixes.3 format changed somewhat time.6 uses consistent format, much like barcoding system. numbers begin 10 contain suffix separated slash.8 number four more digits being (See 2). This designed flexible identification standards. Handle Crossref (Lynnfield) was developed agency perhaps widely known. Its enable cross publication academic online journals. A detailed discussion beyond scope but we use example discuss benefits provide. Content publishers become members so create specific then register Using metadata, member connected global network. Membership extends journals open any produces content, government agencies, funders, museums. increasing discoverability governance organization. There check plagiarism, reports conflicts errors.9 Cross-linking readers because direct immediate access referenced included conclusion reference. website notes increase led expectation researchers others perform simple citation find common increases longevity working link, although depends updating information appropriate.10 explains different purposes. Listed discoverability; editorial integrity; reproducibility; reporting assessment, examples each element type.11 Registration significantly persistence both consumers. It efficiency ability connect directly Crossref, several Many missions objectives overlap. Similar focused data, DataCite (https://datacite.org; Hannover, Germany) datasets allowing data linked supports. Very recently, Earth sciences professionals begun explore assigning instruments laboratory instruments).12 New Resource Identifier SciCrunch (https://scicrunch.org; FAIR Data Informatics Lab) cell samples) developed. Assigning well reproducibility transparency research, particularly when instruments, resulting intuitively interlinked. For reason, some university organizational libraries assignment open-access manuscripts, institutional repositories.13 These accompanied expertise adapt infrastructures new innovative needs Within health efficiently discover reuse pre-existing accurately identify instrument details precision reduce waste involved data-driven technological research. Effective requires understanding systems structures potential pitfalls benefits. editors peer-reviewers, examine correct misformatted inaccurate lists. Scholars authors should cultivate awareness (and identifiers) best practices. Educators do likewise goal aiding learners future practices recognizing not signifiers quality emphasizing need evaluate literature presence. Heather Carter-Templeton, PhD, RN-BC, FAAN Chairperson, Adult Health Department Associate Professor West Virginia University, School Morgantown, WV. She ANI Connections CIN: Computers, Informatics, Nursing. Contact email at: [email protected]. Jordan Wrigley, MSLS, MA scientist librarian Center Digital Scholarship (CRDDS) University Colorado – Boulder. contributing editor library Librarian Parlor. Email: Jacqueline K. Owens, RN, CNE professor Ashland Schar College Sciences Ashland, OH. Editor-in-Chief OJIN: Journal Issues Her protected] Marilyn H. Oermann, ANEF, FAAN, Thelma M. Ingles Nursing, Duke Durham, North Carolina, USA. Educator Care Quality.