DOI assignment
A Digital Object Identifier, or DOI for short, is a digital, persistent identifier that uniquely identifies a publication and makes it findable.
This identifier can also be used for research data or physical objects. The DOI usually leads to a page with data about the object ("landing page"). In the case of text publications and research data, the full text or file can often also be found on this page. In the best case, there is also access to the files, as they have been published in open access or the institution has licensed the content.
A DOI always begins with "10." and consists of a prefix and a suffix. The two components are separated by a slash. The DOI can be represented as a URL or as an identifier; the identifier can be called up using a resolver. Examples:
- DOI as identifier: 10.47952/gro-publ-221
- DOI as URL: https://doi.org/10.47952/gro-publ-221
The component "10.47952" is therefore the prefix, while "gro-publ-221" is the suffix.
The special thing about the DOI is that this identification number remains stable, even if, for example, the stored URL is changed due to a website relaunch - it is then only updated in the background so that the DOI continues to lead to the destination.
DOI Foundation and Registration Agencies
As the DOI is an internationally used identifier, it is coordinated by the internationally active DOI Foundation. The DOI Foundation website provides further information on the DOI. The registration of DOIs, on the other hand, is carried out decentrally by registration agencies. The best known of these are the non-profit organizations Crossref and DataCite.
Crossref operates an open infrastructure for linking research objects. The registered DOIs create a large data set that supports open science and global research communication. Crossref now has around 22,000 members in 160 countries.
DataCite enables access to research results and links them together, thereby strengthening the reuse of knowledge. DataCite is supported internationally by more than 250 direct member institutions and over 65 consortia.
In addition to DOI allocation, both registration agencies also support data exchange via various interfaces. In terms of content, Crossref concentrates more on publication data, while DataCite is increasingly active in research data.
DOI Allocation at the University of Göttingen
The SUB Göttingen is a member of both Crossref and DataCite and cooperates with both registration agencies.
DOIs are assigned for the University of Göttingen (including Göttingen University Medical Center) as part of various services. As a rule, there is a separate prefix for each repository or journal. The SUB Göttingen enables DOI allocation for text publications within the framework of the following services:
- Göttingen University Press
- GRO.publications (first publications)
- eDiss
- Subject repositories (The Stacks and GEO-LEOe-docs)
In addition, DOI allocation for research data takes place via the eResearch Alliance Göttingen:
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