Articles may or may not have DOI numbers assigned to them as the DOI system is a fairly recent concept. Articles published prior to 2000 are less likely to have DOIs.
You can locate a DOI by 1) looking at an article’s record in one of our Library’s databases; 2) looking at an article itself (hard copy version or electronic; 3) using a free DOI lookup called Crossref.
If looking at article records in our Library’s databases, be aware that ProQuest does not include ANY DOI information. Some articles in NavigatorSearch (formerly Roadrunner) and EBSCOhost databases do have DOIs. If they do, you can find this on the article record page (click on the article title from the search results screen to get to the record page).
In NavigatorSearch (formerly Roadrunner) Search:
Another way to locate a DOI is to look at the article itself, either a hard copy or electronic version. In best publishing practices, the DOI should be listed prominently on the first page of an article, whether in print or online.
Lastly, you can try locating a DOI using CrossRef, the free DOI lookup. CrossRef searches for DOIs using information such as article title, authors, and publisher information. Or cut and paste your entire reference list into the Simple Text Query form and CrossRef will return all available DOIs at once.
If you cannot locate a DOI and you are unsure how to proceed please see our FAQ on No DOI.
It is extremely important to check the article citation for proper APA Style, as database citation tools are subject to error. The Academic Success Center provides access to Academic Writer, which provides over 150 sample references, as well as nearly 10 sample papers. It also incorporates all of the references and other content from the Publication Manual.
- For a step-by-step guide to creating an account go to the ASC's FAQ on signing up for Academic Writer.
Please note that this information only serves as guidance. Use the Academic Success Center website to learn about coaching and access writing, statistics, editing, and APA Style resources.
For questions about academic coaching services, please contact the Academic Success Center via their Ask a Coach page. On this page, you can search their FAQs, ask a question, or chat live with a coach via ASC Chat.
