What are they? DOIs are unique ID numbers that can be assigned to research papers and other important works.
Why are they useful? If a citation is missing parts or lists the wrong information, or a journal changes servers and URLs for their website, the DOI will still connect to the correct article.
Where can I find them? DOIs are typically on the first page of the full text document or on the journal or database webpage for that document. You can also look them up by entering the article author or title at search.crossref.org
What if I can't find a DOI? DOIs are voluntary and require publishers to opt in. Many journals and books don’t have DOIs. Their material is still valid and valuable. Simply leave that element off the end of your citation.
If you have a DOI, that is a unique and permanent identifier for the document. Present it as a web address so that future readers can just click it in your electronic document and get taken to the right article.
APA7 citation with DOI: Author. (Date). Article title. Journal Title, v#(i#), pages. https://doi.org/##############
APA7 citation with no DOI: Author. (Date). Article title. Journal Title, v#(i#), pages.
APA requires URLs be added at the end of citations when that information would help a reader get the resource in question. Only add a web address if the URL would work for any reader without signing in or paying or if the URL would help a reader find a document housed only in a single proprietary database.
In APA7, you can just add the URL at the end of the citation. You only need a Retrieved [date] from [url] if the website is likely to change, like a wiki or a data tracker that updates once a day. Will the fact you are citing still be there at the exact URL you are using? If possible, link to the exact document URL or archived version of the document. For instance, link to a specific blog entry and not the blog in general.
| Does it have a DOI? | End citation with URL? |
| Yes, the resource has a DOI. | No. Just end with the DOI. It already links to the document, so a URL doesn’t help |
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No DOI, but you found it in the library catalog or a library database like ERIC. |
No. Any URL the database gives you will only work for UWG users. Other schools may get it through another database or use ILL to get it. Since the URL isn’t helpful, don’t include it. |
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No DOI, but it’s only available on the NEA website for NEA active members who pay. |
Yes. If your reader wants it, they will need to go to that specific website. The URL says where. |
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No DOI, but you can open the document from Google without signing in or paying. |
Yes. Any reader in any country could use the URL to access your document. |