perDOI

perDOI is a proposed framework within the scholarly communication domain that aims to extend the Digital Object Identifier (DOI) system to support persistent references for dynamic, multi-part, or versioned digital objects. It envisions a structured approach to cite not only a single resource but also its constituent parts, derivatives, and successive versions.

Definition and goals: The core idea of perDOI is to allow a primary DOI to identify a work while providing supplementary identifiers for components such as datasets, software, figures, or granular versions. This enables more precise citation, provenance tracking, and attribution for complex scholarly outputs.

How it could work: In a perDOI model, a base DOI identifies the overarching object, and additional suffixes or separate DOIs identify specific parts or versions. Metadata would describe relationships among parts, the lineage of updates, and the current vs. archived states. Resolver services would help users navigate to the relevant component or the latest version.

Rationale: Many modern outputs evolve over time or consist of interconnected elements. A perDOI system could improve reproducibility and reusability by clarifying exactly what is being cited, linking related resources, and recording version histories.

Relationship to existing systems: perDOI would operate within the existing DOI infrastructure, leveraging registration agencies and resolver networks. It is not intended as a replacement for DOIs but as a policy-guided enhancement to enable finer-grained identification and tracking.

Adoption and status: The concept has been discussed in scholarly publishing and data management circles, but it is not standardized or widely implemented. Governance, scope, interoperability, and clear guidelines remain important considerations.

See also: Digital Object Identifier, Data citation, Versioning, Metadata standards.