How do publishers assign DOIs to articles?

How Publishers Assign DOIs to Articles

Publishers assign DOIs (Digital Object Identifiers) to articles through a structured process that involves registration agencies like Crossref and DataCite. The DOI system ensures that each article has a unique, permanent, and citable identifier that facilitates digital accessibility and scholarly referencing.

1. Process of Assigning DOIs:

Publisher Membership with a DOI Registration Agency

• Publishers must be members of a DOI registration agency, such as Crossref, DataCite, or mEDRA.
• Platforms like Scholar9 and OJSCloud help journals integrate DOI registration seamlessly without requiring direct membership.

Generation of a Unique DOI

• The publisher follows a structured DOI format, typically:
• 10.[registrant prefix]/[suffix]

1. Prefix: Assigned by the DOI registration agency (e.g., 10.1234).
2. Suffix: Defined by the publisher (e.g., article ID, volume-issue, or other unique identifiers).

Metadata Submission

• The publisher uploads article metadata (title, authors, abstract, journal name, publication date, etc.) to the DOI registration agency’s system.
• This metadata ensures proper indexing in databases like Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus.

DOI Registration with the Agency

• The DOI, along with its metadata, is registered with the chosen DOI provider (e.g., Crossref, DataCite).
• The DOI becomes active and resolvable, allowing users to access the article directly via the DOI link.

Permanent DOI Linking

• The publisher must ensure that the DOI remains permanently linked to the article’s landing page, even if the article is moved or the journal migrates to another platform.

2. Role of DOI Registration Agencies

DOI agencies act as intermediaries between publishers and the global DOI system. Their responsibilities include:

• Assigning unique DOI prefixes to publishers.
• Hosting metadata and ensuring DOIs remain persistent and accessible.
• Providing DOI resolution services that redirect users to the article’s official webpage.
• Maintaining integrity and standardization in DOI assignment.

3. Ensuring DOI Uniqueness and Permanence

• DOI Prefix Assignment: Each publisher receives a unique prefix from the DOI registration agency, preventing duplicate assignments.
• Internal DOI Tracking: Publishers use automated systems to ensure each DOI suffix is unique within their journal or publishing platform.
• Permanent URL Maintenance: Publishers must update their DOI records if article URLs change to prevent broken links.

Conclusion

DOI assignment is a structured process where publishers generate, register, and maintain DOIs through agencies like Crossref and DataCite. Scholar9 and OJSCloud streamline DOI integration, making it easier for journals and publishers to manage automated DOI registration and metadata submission, ensuring proper indexing, accessibility, and permanence.