DOP identifier: a new method of identification of scholarly publications

An effective identification system for scholarly publications should include essential identifying information, such as the author’s name, publishing journal, and date of publication. However, current Persistent Identifiers (PIDs) often lack such important details, as their primary goal is to link online publications to their web sources. In print versions, these PIDs become ineffective since their main purpose is to locate online content only. To address these limitations, a new identification and linking system, called DOP (Date of Publication) is proposed, based on four key variables: 1) the first author's name, 2) the journal’s name, 3) the date of publication (DOP), and 4) the time of publication. With such identifying features, DOP links can identify scholarly publications efficiently both in print and online settings. For instance, a paper published by author A in journal J on date D and time T can have a DOP identifier link as follows: DOP>AuthorA/JournalJ/D/T, where D refers to the date of publication (year, month, and day), and T refers to the time of publication (hour, minute, and second). This format provides several advantages: it offers key identifying information within the links themselves; the date and time make DOP identifiers specific among journals and between authors; it fits with common citation styles that typically rely on similar variables; and even if the original publication link turns out to be broken, moved, or no longer exists, informative data remain visible within the DOP link itself. Furthermore, a large bibliographic database can be established based on DOP identifiers for the identification and indexation of scientific publications in one and the same place. DOP identifiers can thus offer a global, robust, cohesive, clear and human readable way to identify scholarly publications from around the world.

1. Moustafa K. DOI illusion. Revista Clínica Española. 2024;224(5):334–335. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rceng.2024.04.002

2. Birukou A. A., Skalaban A. V. Technical aspects of publication in several languages– how to link digital object identifiers (DOIs). Science Editor and Publisher. 2020;5(1):29–39. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.24069/2542-0267-2020-1-29-39

3. Moustafa K. Fake journals: Not always valid ways to distinguish them. Science and Engineering Ethics. 2015;21(5):1391–1392. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11948-014-9608-y