What is a DOI?
DOI stands for Digital Object Identifier. A DOI is a persistent, unique resource locator (PURL) that identifies and permanently links to a digital object. A DOI is a unique string of letters, numbers, and symbols that identify an article or document and provide it with a permanent URL, which makes it possible to find a registered item even if its owner changes the item’s location.
How can a DOI help me and my research?
DOIs enhance scholarship by making research easier to find. A DOI can help boost the citation of your digital resource, creating a long-term link between the digital object and its metadata. DOIs also are an integral component of ensuring research data and scholarly content are FAIR: Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable, aligning with FAIR principles.
What digital resource types are eligible for a DOI?
Currently, the Georgetown Library will mint DOIs for research publications and datasets that are deposited in DigitalGeorgetown or other approved scholarly digital repositories. Some examples of objects that are prime candidates for DOI minting are research datasets, research publications that did not receive a DOI from the publisher, student publications, and grey literature. The Library is currently not minting DOIs for theses and dissertations. If you are wondering whether your digital object is eligible for a DOI, please email digitalscholarship@georgetown.edu.
How can I acquire a DOI through the Georgetown Library?
The Georgetown Library currently mints DOIs via the Lyrasis DataCite Consortium. DataCite is a non-profit organization dedicated to making data and scholarly content more accessible and citable. DOI registration is its core activity. Georgetown’s membership allows Library staff the ability to mint Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) for research outputs such as publications and datasets that are deposited in DigitalGeorgetown or other scholarly digital repositories. This service is available to current students, faculty, and staff researchers and, in a majority of cases, is free of charge.
One can start the acquisition process for a DOI by completing this online form. Before submitting the form, please ensure that you have all the relevant and required information for metadata purposes. Applications with incomplete information will require follow-up, which will delay the application process.