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What is the DOI in MLA?

Mason Hall | 2023-06-09 08:18:37 | page views:1653
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Zoe Martin

Studied at the University of British Columbia, Lives in Vancouver, Canada.
As a subject matter expert in the field of academic writing and citation standards, I'm well-versed in the intricacies of various citation styles, including the Modern Language Association (MLA) format. The MLA format is widely used in the humanities, particularly in the fields of literature, cultural studies, and the arts. It provides a set of guidelines for writing essays, research papers, and other scholarly works, as well as a system for referencing sources.
The digital object identifier (DOI) system is indeed a pivotal aspect of the MLA citation style, especially when it comes to citing online sources. The DOI is a unique alphanumeric string that serves as a permanent identifier for digital documents. It is designed to provide a persistent link to the location of an online resource, ensuring that even if the URL changes, the DOI will remain the same and lead users to the correct content.
Here's a detailed explanation of the DOI in the context of MLA citation:

1. Uniqueness: Each DOI is unique to a specific digital document, ensuring that no two sources will have the same identifier. This is crucial for accurately citing sources and avoiding confusion.

2. Permanence: The DOI system is intended to be a long-lasting solution to the problem of broken links (link rot). Even if a website's URL changes, the DOI will remain constant, providing a reliable way to locate the source.

3. Accessibility: When a DOI is assigned to a document, it is often associated with a landing page that provides access to the document itself. This can be particularly useful for users who do not have direct access to the source, as it may provide an abstract or summary, as well as information on how to obtain the full text.

4. Structure: A DOI consists of a prefix and a suffix, separated by a forward slash. The prefix is assigned by the International DOI Foundation (IDF), and the suffix is determined by the publisher or the entity responsible for the document.

5. Citation: In MLA style, when citing a source with a DOI, you should include the DOI in the citation. This typically involves adding the DOI in angle brackets at the end of the citation, after the publication date and before the period that concludes the citation.

6. Example: Here's an example of how a DOI might look in an MLA citation:
```
Author(s). "Title of Article." Title of Journal, vol. xx, no. xx, Year, pp. xx-xx. DOI:10.xxxx/xxxxxx.
```
In this example, "DOI:10.xxxx/xxxxxx" represents the digital object identifier for the article.

7.
Importance in MLA: The MLA Handbook, the authoritative source on MLA style, emphasizes the use of DOIs when available. It is considered a best practice to include the DOI in your citation because it helps ensure that readers can find the source even if the URL changes.

8.
Exceptions: There may be instances where a source does not have a DOI. In such cases, the MLA style advises to use the URL of the source. If the source is from a database, you may also include the name of the database.

9.
Updating Citations: As you compile your works cited page, it's important to double-check each source to ensure that you have the most accurate and up-to-date information, including the correct DOI if available.

10.
Educational Resources: The International DOI Foundation provides educational resources and guidelines for users and publishers to understand and implement the DOI system effectively.

In conclusion, the DOI is a critical component of the MLA citation style, particularly for online sources. It offers a reliable and permanent method for identifying and locating digital documents, which is essential for maintaining the integrity and accessibility of scholarly research.


2024-05-12 07:01:33

Isabella Diaz

Studied at the University of Seoul, Lives in Seoul, South Korea.
The digital object identifier (DOI) is the new standard for locating and citing online electronic resources and publications. ... The actual digital object identifier is a unique string of alphanumeric characters that is assigned by an agency called the International DOI Foundation.
2023-06-12 08:18:37

Julian Gonzales

QuesHub.com delivers expert answers and knowledge to you.
The digital object identifier (DOI) is the new standard for locating and citing online electronic resources and publications. ... The actual digital object identifier is a unique string of alphanumeric characters that is assigned by an agency called the International DOI Foundation.
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