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ASA (7th ed.) Citation Style Guide: DOIs

Useful Links on Using DOIs

What is a DOI?

Many Publishers assign a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) to journal articles and other types of documents. A DOI is a unique alpha-numeric code given to individual online works. The DOI usually appears at the top of the article or in the database record for the article and begins with https://doi.org or http://dx.doi.org or DOI:. The DOI identifies content and provides a persistent link to its internet location.

At the moment, not all publishers provide DOIs. Some library databases such as PsycINFO provide a DOI for each article. When a DOI is provided, your should provide it at the end of your reference. If given, the DOI takes precedence over the URL.

When to Include DOIs and URLs

ASA suggests that when DOIs are available, you include them for electronic sources.

ASA provides these guidelines for including DOIs and URLs in references:

  • Copy and paste DOIs and URLs to avoid errors
  • Include a DOI for online works that have one; do not use a DOI if the print version of the source is referenced
  • When an online work has both a URL and a DOI, include only the DOI
  • For works with a URL and not a DOI, include the URL when the URL will work for readers. 

(American Sociological Association Style Guide, 7th ed., 2022, p.62-63, 83, 89)

Format of DOIs and URLs

  • "When a DOI is included, it should be copied and pasted from the article directly to avoid entering the the DOI incorrectly."
  • "Internet sources that have stable or persistent URLS are recommended."
  • "...for formally published resources, it is usually acceptable simply to list the name of the digital library or repository when a URL is not available."
  • "...self-reported dates on which an author consulted a source...[are] of limited value...ASA...requires access dates for sources consulted online only if (1) a date for the source is not available and cannot be determined from the source...or (2) when citing certain online references and an access date can help identify which version of the reference the author consulted."

For further information, see American Sociological Association Style Guide, 7th ed., 2022:62-63, 83).