What is the DOI: DOI (Digital Object Identifier) is a unique and permanent identifier for electronic publications. It provides information on the description of digital objects (journals, articles, …), as well as their location on the internet, through metadata (author, title, publication data, …), using the open source handle system, which is developed by the American CNRI.

What is the DOI used for: The DOI is assigned to scientific publications, mainly in electronic journal format, and to the articles published in them. In the case of “in press” articles (those articles available from online scientific journal platforms but not yet included in a volume), the DOI serves as a reference to the article. It can also be used for books, book chapters, proceedings, conference papers, software, videos, etc. 

It can be used to:

• Searching and locating a documentary resource on the web (generally full text, although it may have access restrictions, depending on the user’s profile and publication conditions).
• Cite electronic scientific resources.
• Publish scientific documents.
• Share information, browsing through different articles or publications in a transparent way.

Where to find the DOI: In documents: To locate a document from its DOI number, it is sufficient to type it in the bar of any web browser (e.g. htpp://dx.doi.org/10.21134/22553568.2016.12.OA). We can also, from the electronic version of a document, click on the bibliography links in the format < htpp://dx.doi.org/10.21134/22553568.2016.12.OA>.

Search for DOI numbers: To search for the DOI of an article, you can use the following form.

Who assigns the DOI: The University, the editors of electronic publications or the managers of specialised services for researchers and scientists must request the DOI number from the accredited Registration Agencies. The Miguel Hernández University of Elche is currently working with CrossRef.

At UMH, the Library Service is in charge of managing and processing the DOI, receiving the requests in the following email account:  

Cost of the DOI: The assignment of the DOI is free of charge, requesting it through the UMH Library Service. However, as a publisher, when you decide to use the DOI, in order to enjoy all its advantages, you must comply with a series of obligations aimed at encouraging and facilitating the use of the DOI:

• The DOI of the document always has to be displayed as a URL link (e.g. htpp://dx.doi.org/10.21134/22553568.2016.12.OA) and be linkable.
• Any changes to the registered document (change of server, correction of metadata…) have to be updated in a centralised directory.
• It is compulsory to use the DOI in bibliographic citations of articles and publications of the University. Example of a bibliographic citation: Lara, A. de. (2012).  Open Access. UMHSapiens. Divulgación científica, 12, 21-23. Retrieved from: < htpp://dx.doi.org/10.21134/22553568.2016.12.OA >