FAQ: Data DOIs

Q: What is a DOI? DOI stands for Digital Object Identifier. It is a uniquely-assigned internationally-recognized text code that is already widely-used within the scientific community to identify published research articles. The use of DOIs has recently been expanded to include data sets. Here is an example of a DOI: 10.1594/IEDA/100001 Q: What data sets are appropriate for a DOI? Derived data sets that support a publication. Examples: The data tables, grids and maps that appear in a jorunal article. Q: I have a data set DOI. How do I find the data? Append the data set DOI to this base URL: http://dx.doi.org/   For example, for the DOI "10.1594/IEDA/100001", the URL that links to the data is: http://dx.doi.org/10.1594/IEDA/100001 Q: When registered with a DOI, is a data set considered "published"? Yes. The data set becomes citable as a stand-alone entity, according to international standards, just like a published paper. Q: What is the difference between data publication and citation? Publication makes the data formally available and, following the definition of Mooney and Newton (2012 - see citation below), citation provides the "tool for scholarly acknowledgement" of that publication. Q: Who is listed as the author of the data set? The investigator who contributed the data. Q: What are the benefits of registering data with a DOI?
  • Provides a simple, effective method for data citation.
  • Promotes a scholarly framework that recognises and rewards data producers.
  • Endorses data sets generated from research as legitimate, citable contributions to the scientific record.
  • DOI-tagged data sets have their own identity that is no longer associated only with specific publications.
  • Assigns a permanent, citable URL to the data set.
  • Facilitates data visibility, access, re-use and tracking.
  • Helps assess the impact of data.
Q: What is the cost of data set DOI registration? Nothing: It is free when data sets are registered through IEDA. Q: Who assigns the DOI to my data set? When a data set is registered with IEDA, a DOI can be requested. IEDA works with the international DataCite consortium to automatically generate specific DOIs. Q: Will a DOI expire or become obsolete? No. Every DOI is permanent and rigourous standards ensure that it is recognized around the world. Q: What if I have a new version of the data? DOIs are permanent. So, if an updated data set is submitted for publication its DOI can be linked to the original DOI. Q: How many data set DOIs are already registered within IEDA? This web page displays a wide range of DOI-registered data sets archived with IEDA. Links on the right of the page take you to information and data. Q: What is an example of a full citation that involves a DOI?
  • Mooney, H, Newton, MP. (2012). The Anatomy of a Data Citation: Discovery, Reuse, and Credit. Journal of Librarianship and Scholarly Communication 1(1):eP1035. http://dx.doi.org/10.7710/2162-3309.1035
DataCite recommends the following format for citation: Creator (PublicationYear): Title. Publisher. Identifier