A DOI, or digital object identifier, is a unique and permanent identifier that will take you straight to an article no matter where it’s located on the Internet. Even if a URL changes, the DOI will always direct you to the article. The DOI, when available, can be found:
- On the first page of an e-journal article, near the copyright notice
- In the database record for an article
You can see if an article has a DOI by searching CrossRef, the official DOI Registration Agency of the International DOI Foundation.
NOTE: Not all articles have DOIs. Articles published prior to 2000 are less likely to have DOIs. Also, only publishers that meet the obligations of the DOI system and are willing to pay to become a member of that system can assign DOIs.