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Research Guides

Persistent Identifiers: Digital Object Identifiers

Tools to help researchers create long-lasting persistent identifiers.

Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs)

DOI logo.svgWhat is a DOI? A DOI is a persistent, unique digital identifier associated with an object, which contains metadata that makes the object easier to find. DOIs create a link to the content’s location on the internet, so that the DOI will always point to the correct unique object.

 

*** If you're ready to request a DOI, fill out the DOI form. ***
If you have more than 5 DOIs to be requested, please contact uwlib-scp@uw.edu about batch upload.

 

Why might I need a DOI? DOIs are increasingly desired -- and sometimes required -- by journal publishers. A DOI creates a stable URL that allows for persistent access to digital materials. If you graduate, change universities, or migrate content to a new server, as long as the DOI record is updated, the change is invisible to users.

What can I get a DOI for?

  • Images
  • Data and data sets
  • Books
  • Book chapters
  • Research reports
  • Dissertations and theses
  • And more

 

How do I get a DOI? The UW Libraries has contracted with DataCite to create digital object identifiers (DOIs) for UW researchers. All DOIs assigned through UW service will start with 10.6069. Request a DOI here.

Steps for getting a DOI from UW Libraries

Before you get started, look at the example DOIs on bottom of this page to get an idea of how the information you provide for your DOI will appear.

Step 1: Prepare information about the resource(s)

  • Information we need from you to create a DOI:

    • URL: web page with information about object

    • Creator(s): authors of the object (anyone who should appear in the citation), see the multiple author example

    • Title: Title of project/object

    • Publisher: The name of the entity that holds, archives, publishes prints, distributes, releases, issues, or produces the resource. This property will be used to formulate the citation, so consider the prominence of the role.

    • Publication Year: The year when the data was or will be made publicly available.

    • Resource Type: Text, Dataset, Image, etc

    • Description (optional): All additional information that does not fit in any of the other categories, including an abstract

Step 2:  Verify that URL points to an active web page. If object is embargoed or not yet published (for example if a publisher needs a DOI before publishing) contact uwlib-doi@uw.edu.

Step 3: Input gathered information into the DOI request form

Step 4: You will receive the DOI(s) via email

If you have other questions about acquiring a DOI, contact Research Data Services.

Examples of DOIs

Single Author Example:

DOI: 10.6069/H5MW2F2Q

Information input:

  • URL: http://jisao.washington.edu/data/sahel/

  • Creator(s): Mitchell, Todd

  • Title: Sahel Precipitation Index

  • Publisher: The Joint Institute for the Study of the Atmosphere and Ocean (JISAO)

  • Publication Year: 1997

  • Resource Type (Text, Dataset, Image, etc): Dataset

  • Description (optional):

  • Citation (APA example): Mitchell, T. (1997). Sahel Precipitation Index [Data set]. The Joint Institute for the Study of the Atmosphere and Ocean (JISAO). https://doi.org/10.6069/H5MW2F2Q

  • If you would like to see the DOI in other citation formats, input the DOI into CrossCite

 

Multiple Author Example:

DOI: 10.6069/M12V-M513

Information input:

  • URL: https://panoramaweb.org/baker-ims.url

  • Creator(s): MacLean, Brendan X.; Pratt, Brian S.; Egertson Jarrett D.; MacCoss, Michael J.; Smith, Richard D.; Baker, Erin S.

  • Title: Using Skyline to Analyze Data-Containing Liquid Chromatography, Ion Mobility Spectrometry, and Mass Spectrometry Dimensions. Journal of The American Society for Mass Spectrometry

  • Publisher: Panorama Public (https://panoramaweb.org/public.url)

  • Publication Year: 2018

  • Resource Type (Text, Dataset, Image, etc): Dataset

  • Description (optional):

  • Citation (APA format): MacLean, B. X., Pratt, B. S., Egertson, J. D., MacCoss, M. J., Smith, R. D., & Baker, E. S. Using Skyline to Analyze Data-Containing Liquid Chromatography, Ion Mobility Spectrometry, and Mass Spectrometry Dimensions. Journal of The American Society for Mass Spectrometry . Panorama Public (https://panoramaweb.org/public.url). https://doi.org/10.6069/M12V-M513

  • If you would like to see the DOI in other citation formats, input the DOI into CrossCite

Research Data Services Librarian

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Jennifer Muilenburg
Contact:
206-221-6348
Website
Subjects: Data Resources