LibGuides: Research life cycle: 3.Usage phase: Persistent identifiers

What is a persistent identifier (PID)?

A PID is a unique label linked to a digital object. This means that the object can always be found, even when name and location changes. With a PID you prevent the creation of broken links or a 'page not found' error. A PID is also a condition that complies with the F of the FAIR principles [also see this LibGuide].
To be citable a dataset needs a PID. Without a PID a dataset cannot be found in a sustainable way. But a PID alone is not enough, for optimal findability the dataset must also be provided with machine-readable metadata [also see this LibGuide]. It is through the metadata that a dataset can be found and then located via the PID.

The most well-known PIDs are the Digital Object Identifier (DOI) for publications and the Open Researcher and Contributor iD (ORCiD) for authors.

DOI

A DOI is a unique persistent number that can be assigned to online files and publications to make them citable, providing a permanent link to your research. A DOI also makes it easier to link through to your data and publications.
DOIs are already widely used in scientific literature to link to journal articles. By assigning a DOI to a dataset you make its origin traceable and citable.

Structure of a DOI
Example: 10.25385/zuyd.9884279
The DOI consists of two parts, separated by a slash:

Prefix, consisting of the number '10' followed by four or more digits
> this is the identification code of the party who registered
the dataset
Suffix
> this is the identifier for the dataset

Citing a dataset
The recommended citation style is:

Creator (Publication year): Title. Publisher. Identifier

Example:
Keen, A.S (2011): Erosive bar migration using density and diameter scaled sediment erosive profile set-prototype scale (actual scale 1:10). TU Delft. doi:10.4121/uuid:32c53005-a4f2-447c-b231-6cdb7dcdd17f.

ORCiD

An ORCiD is a unique persistent number used to uniquely identify authors of scientific works. An ORCiD is free of charge and can be used to (automatically) link through to all your research output (articles, research data, software, patents, grant applications, etc.).

Advantages:

Avoids name confusion and increases your findability
International standard
More and more publishers/organizations are asking for an ORCiD when submitting a publication or grant application.
Saving time
When submitting a publication or application, you no longer need to enter any other personal data.
Privacy is guaranteed
You own and control your own ORCiD page and decide for yourself what to register or not, what links to your ORCiD and which organizations you allow to your iD.
Not bound to Zuyd
If you change employer, your ORCiD remains the same, you take your ORCiD with you throughout your career. Therefore, only register a persistent email address, such as your private email address.

Video

Persistent identifiers and data citation explained
Duration: 4:51 min.