What is a DOI and why should you include it in your reference? In this post, we discuss what a DOI is, how to find it in a source, and why you should include one in your references.
What is a DOI?
Also known as a permalink, a DOI is an article's permanent location online. DOIs are used for a variety of academic and non-academic sources that are located online. DOI stands for "digital object identifier."
How to find a DOI
For journal articles, the DOI can typically be found at the top of the page, along with the title, author's name, and other publication information. PDFs of journal articles that are downloaded from an academic database often include the DOI on the cover page and/or at the bottom of each page.
A correct DOI would look like this: https://doi.org/10.1080/10509585.2015.1092083.
Why include a DOI in a reference?
It’s important to use DOIs when available because they add credibility to the source. If a citation includes a DOI, it means that the source is unique and real.
APA and other styles now require DOIs to be included in references, if they are available. Here's an example of an APA reference with a DOI:
Mallory-Kani, A. (2015). “Contagious air[s]”: Wordsworth’s poetics and politics of immunity. European Romantic Review, 26(6), 699–717. https://doi.org/10.1080/10509585.2015.1092083
If the source has a DOI, use it! Do not use the URL of the source if a DOI is available. URLs might change over time, while DOIs do not.
Frequently Asked Questions about why you need to include a DOI in your reference
⛴ Why is DOI important?
It’s important to use DOIs when available because they add credibility to the source. If a citation includes a DOI, it means that the source is unique and real.
🎠 How do DOIs work?
Also known as a permalink, a DOI is an article's permanent location online. DOIs are used for a variety of academic and non-academic sources that are located online.
💙 Why are DOIs preferred over URLs?
Most URLs might change over time, while DOIs do not.
🔆 Do you need a DOI in APA 7?
Yes. APA style requires DOIs in references when they are available.
🍋 Where do you put the DOI in APA?
In APA style, the DOI is the final element of the reference. Do not include a period after the DOI.
