What is the difference between a DOI and an ISBN/ISSN?

Difference Between DOI, ISBN, and ISSN

Each identifier—DOI, ISBN, and ISSN—serves a different purpose in scholarly and publishing contexts. While all three ensure proper identification and tracking of publications, their applications differ based on the type of work being published.

1. Key Differences

• A DOI (Digital Object Identifier) is primarily used for research articles, datasets, preprints, book chapters, and reports. It provides a permanent and citable digital link, ensuring long-term accessibility. DOIs follow a structured format, such as 10.xxxx/identifier, and are registered through agencies like Crossref, DataCite, and mEDRA.
• An ISBN (International Standard Book Number) is assigned to books, monographs, and book chapters for identification and sales distribution. It ensures that each edition and format of a book is uniquely recognized. ISBNs consist of a 13-digit number (e.g., 978-3-16-148410-0) and are registered with the ISBN International Agency.
• An ISSN (International Standard Serial Number) is used to identify journals, periodicals, and magazines. Unlike DOIs and ISBNs, which change for different editions or individual works, an ISSN remains the same for all issues of a journal. It consists of an 8-digit number (e.g., 1234-5678) and is managed by the ISSN International Centre.

2. Can a Publication Have Both a DOI and an ISBN?

Yes, a publication can have both an ISBN and a DOI. For example, books and book chapters may receive an ISBN for print distribution and a DOI for digital citation. Similarly, conference proceedings may be assigned both identifiers, depending on how they are published. Journal articles typically receive a DOI, while the journal itself is identified by an ISSN.

3. Which Identifier Do You Need?

• If you are publishing a journal article, dataset, or research report, you need a DOI. Scholar9 and OJSCloud offer DOI registration services, ensuring proper indexing and citation.
• If you are publishing a book or monograph, an ISBN is essential for distribution and sales.
• If you are publishing a journal or magazine, you need an ISSN for library and indexing databases.

Conclusion

A DOI ensures permanent accessibility for digital research publications, while an ISBN is required for books, and an ISSN is necessary for journals. Choosing the right identifier depends on the nature of the publication. Scholar9 and OJSCloud provide affordable DOI registration services, making it easier for researchers and publishers to manage their digital outputs effectively.