A DOI (Digital Object Identifier) number is a unique alphanumeric string assigned to a digital object, such as a journal article, a book chapter, a dataset, or other forms of academic content. This identifier provides a permanent link to the object on the internet, ensuring that it can always be found even if its location changes. Here are some key points about DOIs and their importance in academic research: ### What is a DOI Number? 1. **Unique Identifier**: A DOI is a unique code that identifies a specific digital object. For example, the DOI "10.1000/xyz123" might refer to a particular journal article. 2. **Persistent Link**: It provides a persistent link to the object, meaning that even if the web address of the content changes, the DOI link will still lead to it. 3. **Standard Format**: DOIs follow a standardised format, usually starting with "10." followed by a prefix assigned to the organisation (e.g., "10.1000") and a suffix chosen by the organisation (e.g., "xyz123"). ### Why are DOIs Important in Academic Research? 1. **Permanent Access**: DOIs ensure that digital objects remain accessible over time. Unlike URLs, which can break if the content is moved, a DOI link will always point to the content. 2. **Citation and Referencing**: DOIs make it easier to cite and reference academic work accurately. Researchers can use DOIs to locate the exact sources cited in a paper. 3. **Metadata**: DOIs are linked to metadata about the object, including the title, author, publication date, and more. This metadata is maintained in registries and can be used to find and identify the content. 4. **Cross-Referencing**: DOIs facilitate cross-referencing among different academic works, enabling easier tracking of citations and the impact of research. 5. **Interoperability**: They improve interoperability between different systems and databases, helping in the efficient sharing and discovery of academic content. 6. **Credibility and Integrity**: Having a DOI assigned to a piece of research can enhance its credibility, indicating that it has been officially registered and can be reliably accessed. 7. **Digital Scholarly Record**: DOIs help maintain the digital scholarly record by ensuring that all referenced works can be reliably accessed and verified. In summary, DOIs are crucial in the academic world for maintaining the integrity, accessibility, and accurate citation of digital scholarly content, thereby supporting the advancement and dissemination of research. ## Searching for DOI numbers [A good resource to find DOI numbers](https://search.crossref.org/) ## DOI numbers and Zotero If you have the DOI number for an article, [[What is Zotero?|Zotero]] will probably be able to create a bibliography for you! From there you want to create an [[How To Write An Exceptional Literature Review With AI NEXT LEVEL Tactics|AMAZING Lit Review.]]