DOI: Infrastructure Digital for Connecting Data Globally

The National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) is an agency under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI). It drives the national research and innovation system to become robust by providing research grants, developing human resources, and building a research and innovation ecosystem in alignment with the National Strategic Goals. Empowered by Section 13 of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Administration Act, B.E. 2562 (2019), NRCT is tasked with integrating the science, research, and innovation data systems from various agencies within the research and innovation ecosystem, pursuant to the Science, Research and Innovation Promotion Act, B.E. 2562 (2019). This is achieved by developing a database linkage system and serving as the central information center providing research and innovation data services to relevant agencies, ensuring the effective utilization of research, innovation, and technological data stored within the country’s science, research, and innovation databases.  Therefore, to maintain accurate, comprehensive, and up-to-date research information within the national databases, and to implement an information service policy that aligns with modern international standards, NRCT assigns Digital Object Identifier (DOI) to digital information resources for both public and private sectors. This initiative supports Open Science, a crucial component of the country's research infrastructure, as it promotes transparency, reproducibility, and collaboration. The DOI serves as an essential tool that enables Open Science by creating persistent links to research data and other digital objects, making them easily accessible and citable. Furthermore, DOIs help track changes and updates to datasets, which is beneficial for ensuring the accuracy and credibility of research. They also prevent issues related to data deletion or modification, which could otherwise impact bibliographies and access to academic content.  

Digital Object Identifier (DOI) is an international standard for digital information resources designated as ISO 26324:2022 (Information and Documentation), which has been updated from ISO 26324:2012. It serves as a persistent identifier or an identification code for digital/electronic documents (Digital objects), facilitating data storage and citation for both digital files and other objects. Currently, more than 100 million DOI has been assigned to digital documents worldwide.  

Assigning a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) to a digital document is equivalent to giving it a unique name, code, or identification number. While similar to assigning an International Standard Book Number (ISBN) or an International Standard Serial Number (ISSN), a DOI is more complex and offers greater benefits. Driven by data management technology, the DOI code ensures seamless search and retrieval of digital information even if the website address or URL changes. Implementing DOI codes thus provides a persistent identifier solution. The DOI serves as a framework that identifies where recorded digital media is stored and how it can be accessed. Additionally, it aids in content management, database management, and metadata management, linking users directly to content producers and publishers. Crucially, it also facilitates digital data management and e-Commerce. 

The National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) joined DataCite, a Registration Agency (RA) based in Germany, as a Full Member. DataCite supports the application of DOI codes to research and higher education academic works. NRCT's membership was approved as the 17th member on December 11, 2012, during the 4th DataCite General Assembly held at the Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences (GESIS) in Cologne, Germany. At that time, NRCT attended the assembly to present its mission as the national research information center, establishing its suitability as the organization responsible for assigning Digital Object Identifiers (DOI) for research works in Thailand. This milestone placed Thailand on DataCite's DOI map as the first organization in Thailand and one of only four in the Asian region (alongside China, Japan, and South Korea) to become a member of a DOI Registration Agency. Consequently, since 2012, NRCT has been fully authorized to provide international-standard DOI registration services for research and academic works to research agencies in Thailand.  

NRCT provides DOI assignment services for research and academic works to relevant organizations through the administration of NRCT's Local Handle System. This system, developed by NRCT, is responsible for storing metadata, managing digital document files, and generating DOI codes. It also transmits all created DOI metadata to DataCite to ensure that every digital document file remains retrievable and accessible at all times. Relevant agencies interested in DOI services can find more details on the Digital Object Identifier website at  http://doi.nrct.go.th.