Tipsheets and FAQs

What is a DOI (Digital Object Identifier)?

A Digital Object Identifier, is a unique string of numbers, letters, and punctuation assigned to journal articles (and some other types of material) that are available in an electronic format. Unlike a URL or web address, the DOI stays with the article when it is moved from one website to another.

Every publisher does things a little differently, but the DOI can usually be found at the top or bottom of the first page of an article (either in print or online), and is usually identified as a DOI. These examples show what a DOI looks like and where it might be found:
Example of a DOI found in a print publication, near the copyright statement at the top of the first page of the article. Example of a DOI found on a website. In this case, it's near the top of the page close to the PDF link.

To use a DOI with the UT HSC Link tool, simply copy and paste the entire DOI (including all punctuation) into the generator at http://link.uthscsa.edu. You can also generate your own link by adding the DOI on to the end of http://link.uthscsa.edu/ -- for example: http://link.uthscsa.edu/10.1080/02763860802616110