A digital object identifier (DOI) is a unique identifier associated with an object, such as an electronic document. This can include journal articles, data and data sets, images, books, and book chapters. he benefit of a DOI is it is a persistent identifier that is available and managed over time; this means it will not change if the item or object is moved or renamed (From EZID). DOIs help alleviate the problem of dead links or link rot.
Washington University in St. Louis can only provide DOIs for faculty, staff, students, and researchers affiliated with the university.
For other DOI providers, visit DataCite -- please note members have different policies on assigning DOIs.
The Libraries have contracted with DataCite to create digital object identifiers (DOIs). The goal in providing DOI assignment to users is to provide a needed service to the University community that enables the sharing of research products through persistent identifiers.
The Libraries will make DOI assignments available for free to users affiliated with Washington University in St. Louis. A user can be an individual or a department/center. If any one user requests a notably significant number of DOIs (as in approaching 1000 or more), the Libraries will work with that user to make other, more sustainable arrangements.
What can I get a DOI for?
Note: When you create DOIs or have DOIs created, you are also agreeing to maintain URLs if they change. This requires contacting the Libraries with URL updates.
DOIs are typically issued at the time of an object's publication. All DOIs begin with a 10 and contain a prefix and a suffix separated by a slash. The prefix is a unique number of four or more digits assigned to organizations; the suffix is assigned by the publisher and identifies the object. DOIs from Washington University begin with 10.7936