A DOI (Digital Object Identifier) is a standardized system for identifying electronic or digital objects like online journal articles. A DOI is a unique alphanumeric string that provides a persistent link to the article. It is often included in citations and can be found in the article itself or through a service like Crossref.org. Including the DOI in references, as required by citation styles like APA, helps provide a stable link to the article. While not all journals have DOIs assigned, they are useful for linking to online content over the long term.

1. WHAT IS A DOI?
DOI stands for Digital Object Identifier.
A DOI is a standardized system for
identifying an electronic or digital object.
A DOI looks like this:
DOI: 10.1080/15575330903279630

2. DOIs often appear in the citations
of articles in a database search:

3. You can often find the DOI in the
articles themselves:

4. You can use Crossref.org
to find a DOI for an article.

5. Cut and paste a citation in www.crossref.org/guestquery/

6. Click search, and crossref.org finds the DOI for that article.
A standard prefix (
http://dx.doi.org/) added to
the DOI makes it a link to
the article.

7. To use the DOI to find the article, use a DOI resolver.
Click Go to get to the article.

8. Download PDF here.

9. WHY DO I NEED THE DOI?
DOIs provide stable, long-lasting links for online articles.
Some citation styles, like APA (6th
ed.) require you to include the
DOI when referencing online journal articles.
An APA (6th
ed.) reference for an online journal article with a DOI
number looks like this:
Youmans, R., & Jee, B. (2007). Fudging the numbers: Distributing chocolate influences
student evaluations of an undergraduate course. Teaching of Psychology,
34(4), 245-247. doi:10.1080/00986280701700318.

10. Not all journals have DOIs.
An APA (6th
ed.) reference for an online journal article without a
DOI looks like this:
Lampley, J. (2010). Graduate degree programs: Plain vanilla, chocolate fudge, or a
cherry on top?. Nonpartisan Education Review 6 (1). Retrieved from
http://www.npe.ednews.org

11. FOR MORE INFORMATION
More on DOIs
A DOI Primer (APA Style Blog)
DOIs: How to find DOIs in PsychINFO (tutorial from APA Style
Blog)
APA Resources
Guide to Citing Education Resources in APA Format 6th Edition
(Queen's University)
Style Guides (Brock University)

12. CONTACT THE LIBRARY
Contact the Library Help Desk
• 905-688-5550 x. 3233 or use email form
Contact your liaison librarian:
• Jennifer Thiessen
• 905-688-5550 x. 3573
• jthiessen@brocku.ca