A DOI, or Digital Object Identifier, is a unique, persistent identifier for a document published online. It's like a permanent address for a digital resource, ensuring that you can always find it, even if the original URL changes.
Here's how a DOI typically looks:
DOI: 10.1080/15588742.2015
Why are DOIs important?
- Persistence: They provide a stable link to a resource, even if it moves to a different location on the web.
- Discoverability: They make it easier to find and cite specific documents.
- Accessibility: They can help ensure that digital resources remain accessible over time.
How to use a DOI:
- Direct Access: You can often access the resource directly by pasting the DOI into your browser's address bar.
- Citation: Use the DOI in your citations to provide a precise reference to the document.
Where to find DOIs:
- Academic Journals: Many academic journals assign DOIs to their articles.
- Research Papers: Research papers published online often have DOIs.
- Datasets: Datasets can also be assigned DOIs.
In essence, DOIs are a valuable tool for researchers, students, and anyone who needs to access and cite digital information reliably.
If you have a specific DOI in mind, feel free to share it, and I can try to provide more information about the associated resource.