What is a DOI?
Answer
A Document Object Identifier (DOI) is a unique identifier for an electronic document. Unlike a URL, the DOI of a document does not change, even if that document's location does. To find a document based on its DOI, use the DOI Resolver at crossref.org. Crossref also offers a free DOI lookup if you need to find the DOI for a paper.
DOIs are important if you are using the APA citation style, which encourages their use instead of URLs. For more about the use of DOIs in APA, see this DOI Primer from the APA Style Blog as well as their flowchart for URLs and DOIs.
DOIs are important if you are using the APA citation style, which encourages their use instead of URLs. For more about the use of DOIs in APA, see this DOI Primer from the APA Style Blog as well as their flowchart for URLs and DOIs.