Making research data referenceable and discoverable

Persistent Identifier for research data

By assigning persistent identifiers such as the Digital Object Identifier (DOI), research data remain permanently findable and citable. This is because the identifiers refer to the object itself, so they remain valid regardless of URL changes. The DOI is geared towards the publication and citability of research data.

In addition to the DOI, there are other persistent identifiers for other uses.  For example, the ePIC PID targets use in the creation, processing, and analysis phases of data. Research data that have not yet been finalized are assigned an ePIC PID so that they can be distributed and discussed in project or working groups. Another persistent identifier is the Uniform Resource Name (URN), which is assigned by the German National Library.

In the life sciences, DOIs are comparatively widespread and established, not least as symbol of the publication's citability.

ZB MED DOI-Consortium

ZB MED offers the assignment of DOIs at the registration agency DataCite and provides advice on this. ZB MED is a member of DataCite, which provides the technical infrastructure.

Through membership in the ZB MED DOI Consortium, life science research institutions can register DOIs for their research data as well as textual publications. To become a member, it is necessary to sign the ZB MED DOI Consortium Membership Application.