What is a DOI?

A DOI (digital object identifier) is a unique and persistent identifier used to identify information resources like research articles, datasets, and government publications. It is formatted as a string of numbers and letters. Most modern scholarly articles will include the DOI on the article itself. APA citation format requires you to include the DOI for all resources on your works cited list that have one.

Finding an article using a DOI

If you have a full or partial citation for an article that includes the DOI, you can use that information to locate the article using the library's website.

1. Go to the library's website, library.unt.edu

2. In the "Start Your Research" box, select the "Search It All" tab.

3. Paste your DOI in the search box. Click on the button with the page icon that is to the left of the "Search" button.

4. If the DOI is for an active object, the website will open a DOI resolver pop-up box on the page with several options.

• Option 1, "Attempt Direct Access," is the best place to start. If the UNT Libraries have access to the article via one of their databases, this option should open a new window with that article.
• Option 2, "Attempt to Find Open Access Copy," can be used if the first option doesn't work. If there is an open access copy of the article on the web, the DOI resolver will try to connect to it. Not all articles have an open access option.
• Option 3, "Try: "Find It" or "Check More Sources," can be used if the first two options don't work. It will use other article search features to see if it can find a copy in the library's electronic resources. If it still cannot locate a full-text version of the article, it will supply a link to allow you to request the article through InterLibrary Loan.