This article explains how to reserve a DOI for your WUR publication.

Introduction

A Digital Object Identifier (DOI) is an internationally accepted identifier and remains the same even if the publication's URL changes. As such it provides a unique persistent reference to your publication. Adding a DOI facilitates the discovery and citation of your WUR publication. More information on the benefits of adding a DOI to your publication can be found on the website of the DOI Foundation.

Who can request a DOI?

All WUR staff members can apply for a DOI. You can apply for a DOI for your own publication, but also ask your secretary or someone else to do it for you. In that case, a second email address can be added in the process.  

What type of research output can you request a DOI for?

You can apply for a DOI for three categories: a) WUR reports; b) your EngD thesis; and c) other WUR publications, such as nota's, factsheets, brochures, pamphlets, posters, etc.

You can’t apply for a DOI for the following categories:

• Scientific articles published by external publishers; these will automatically receive a DOI when published.
• Your PhD thesis; the DOI is automatically assigned when the registration of your PhD project in Hora Finita has been finalised.
• Your dataset; it is possible to reserve a DOI for datasets in repositories such as 4TU.ResearchData, DANS Data Stations and Zenodo. You can find more information on reserving a DOI for your dataset in this knowledge article.
• Documents that are not published by WUR; you can consider depositing those in a repository such as Zenodo. Zenodo will automatically register a DOI for a record once you publish it there.

Do I also need an ISBN?

The International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is a unique identification number for printed monographs (e.g. books, theses, proceedings, reports, CD-ROMs). An ISBN is not required for WUR PhD theses, and the Doctoral Degree Regulations have been changed accordingly. For most WUR publications, a DOI has replaced the function of the ISBN. Only if you also want to publish your report in print do you need an ISBN. The Library doesn't issue ISBNs. On the ISBN website, you can register for an ISBN.

Step-by-step explanation for requesting a DOI

How do I apply for a DOI?

1. Go to https://library.wur.nl/WebQuery/doi. (Make sure you are logged in on the upper right corner to be able to continue).
2. Click on New request and select the type of document that you want to request a DOI for.
3. If you select Report or Other, make sure that the publication will be published by WUR. If this is not the case, consider depositing it in a repository that adds a DOI to your research output, as explained above.
4. Add the title and a short description in the text box; this will only be visible to you and to the Library.
5. If you want someone else to receive the confirmation email and be able to upload the PDF of the publication, you can add their email address. Otherwise, you can leave this field empty.

You have now completed your DOI reservation. It is called a reservation because it won’t be final until you upload the PDF. You will receive an email with more information, the DOI, and the upload link within 15 minutes after clicking on Save.

WARNING: It is possible to cancel your reservation. Only use this option if you are absolutely sure the DOI is not necessary anymore.

Preparing the final PDF for upload

You finalise the process of adding a DOI to your publication by uploading the final PDF. Before you do so, please check the following.

• As mentioned above, only publications published by WUR will be able to receive a DOI via this route. If your PDF is published by another organisation, please do not apply for a DOI.
• In your final PDF, check that you have added the DOI in the colophon.
• Make sure you have selected the desired copyright licence and added the licence statement to your PDF. For more information on selecting copyright licences in line with WUR’s Open Access policy, check the knowledge articles on Choosing a copyright licence for my output  and ‘Find out who owns copyright of (scholarly) output. Specifically for WUR reports, there are WUR guidelines and a flowchart available to help you decide on a licence.
• Last but not least, check the properties of your PDF (File à Document Properties): does the Description contain the correct Title and Author?

Uploading your PDF

1. To upload the final PDF, go to https://library.wur.nl/WebQuery/doi. (Make sure you are logged in on the upper right corner to be able to continue).
2. Click on your DOI reservation under My open DOI requests and click on Edit record.
3. You can now upload your PDF. If the report requires an embargo period, you can add that here.
4. Lastly, tick the boxes to confirm that you have stated the DOI and a copyright licence in your PDF and that all copyright owners give permission to publish the document in the e-depot.

Once you have clicked on Save, you can’t make any changes to this record any more. If you made a mistake, but already clicked on Save, please contact the Library at doi.library@wur.nl.

The report will now be reviewed by the Library. If everything is correct, the DOI will be activated. If there is something wrong with the PDF and/or other corrections have to be made, the Library will contact you. This process will normally take no more than 2 working days.

Questions & support

Do you have questions about requesting a DOI? Please email the Library. We'll be happy to help you.