A DOI in APA refers to a Digital Object Identifier, a unique, permanent string of characters used to identify and link to specific digital content, such as journal articles, books, or chapters. In APA Style, DOIs are crucial for ensuring the stability and accessibility of your references.
Understanding DOIs in APA Style
A Digital Object Identifier (DOI) is a standardized, unique number assigned by publishers to many—though not all—articles, papers, and books. Its primary purpose is to provide a persistent link to the location of the digital publication on the internet, even if its web address (URL) changes. This makes DOIs invaluable for academic citations, particularly in APA Style, where accuracy and retrievability of sources are paramount.
What is a DOI?
A DOI is essentially a permanent identifier for an intellectual property in the digital environment. It acts like a digital fingerprint, ensuring that a specific piece of content can always be found.
- Unique Identifier: Each DOI is distinct and assigned to only one publication.
- Persistent Link: Unlike URLs, which can change, a DOI always points to the same content, even if it moves to a different server or website.
- Publisher Assigned: DOIs are typically assigned by publishers (e.g., CrossRef, DataCite) when a work is first published.
Why Are DOIs Important in APA Style?
In APA 7th Edition, DOIs are a core component of reference entries for many scholarly works. Their importance stems from:
- Reliability: They guarantee that readers can locate the exact source you cited, enhancing the credibility of your research.
- Accessibility: They simplify the process of accessing the original publication, as a DOI can be resolved into a current URL.
- Standardization: They provide a consistent method for identifying digital sources across different platforms and databases.
How to Find a DOI
Finding a DOI for an article is usually straightforward:
- On the Publication: Look for the DOI on the first page of the article, often near the title, author information, or in the header or footer.
- Database Information: Academic databases (like PubMed, PsycINFO, JSTOR) typically display the DOI prominently in the article's record.
- DOI Look-up Tools: If you have the citation details but not the DOI, you can use a DOI lookup service (e.g., CrossRef's Free DOI Lookup).
Formatting DOIs in APA References
In APA Style, DOIs are presented as a hyperlink that begins with https://doi.org/ followed by the unique DOI number.
- Format: The DOI should be formatted as a full URL:
https://doi.org/10.xxxx/xxxx. - Placement: It is typically the last element in a reference entry for a journal article, book, or book chapter.
- Hyperlink: It should be an active hyperlink in digital documents.
Examples of DOI Formatting in APA
| Source Type | Example APA Reference Entry |
|---|---|
| Journal Article | Lastname, F. M. (Year). Title of the article. Title of Periodical, Volume(Issue), pages. https://doi.org/10.xxxx/xxxx |
| Book (with DOI) | Lastname, F. M. (Year). Title of book. Publisher. https://doi.org/10.xxxx/xxxx |
| Book Chapter | Lastname, F. M. (Year). Title of the chapter. In E. E. Editor (Ed.), Title of book (pages). Publisher. https://doi.org/10.xxxx/xxxx |
Note: If a digital source does not have a DOI, and you accessed it from a database, you typically do not include a URL unless it's from a non-database source (e.g., a website) that would be otherwise difficult for readers to find.
