DOIbased

DOIbased is a term used to describe systems, practices, or designs that treat Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) as the primary, persistent identifiers for digital scholarly resources and related objects. In a DOIbased approach, the DOI functions as a stable anchor for locating, citing, and exchanging information about an item, even as its location on the web changes over time.

Core components of a DOIbased framework include the assignment of DOIs to objects (such as articles, datasets, software, and reports) and the use of DOI registries and resolvers. Registries such as Crossref and DataCite mint DOIs and maintain metadata that describes the object, its authors, publication date, and access information. The DOI resolver at doi.org provides a single, stable URL that redirects users to the current landing page for the object. Metadata interchange specifications and identifiers complement the DOI to enable interoperable indexing, discovery, and citation.

Applications of DOIbased systems are widespread in scholarly communication. Journals routinely assign DOIs to articles, repositories mint DOIs for datasets and software, and publishers integrate DOIs into references and bibliographic databases. Benefits include enhanced citation stability, improved long‑term access, consistent linking across platforms, and better support for metrics and tracking.

Challenges include the costs and administrative overhead of minting DOIs, uneven coverage for nontraditional or emerging content, and the need for high‑quality, up‑to‑date metadata. Versioning and changes in object status can also complicate DOI management. Overall, DOIbased practices are a central feature of contemporary scholarly infrastructure, promoting persistent identification and interoperability across the digital ecosystem.