The internet is constantly changing, and the storage locations of digital research data, publications and resources can change. Accordingly, there is a risk that web addresses via which digital sources can be accessed and referenced will change. In such cases, digital research data and publications can no longer be found and therefore disappear in the long term.

Persistent identifiers uniquely name individual digital resources and help to identify digital publications and research data

- regardless of their storage location,

- uniquely and permanently identifiable and

- reliably citable.

Systems such as Digital Object Identifiers (DOI) ensure that digital resources, research data and publications are permanently accessible. Archives and repositories that use DOIs or similar systems ensure the long-term citability of their research data and publications. In addition, systems such as ORCID make it possible to create an independent profile for authors so that people can also be persistently identified in the digital space and uniquely linked to their digital publications and research data.

The use of persistent identifiers is therefore a central aspect of digital publication and (long-term) archiving, corresponds to good scientific practice, promotes one's own reputation and, in principle, the quality of research.

For optimal and efficient advice and support regarding the use of persistent identifiers, we are available to you in the current situation by e-mail or video conference. You can reach us easily and conveniently via info-dch(at)uni-koeln.de.