Unique Identifiers
A research unique identifier (RUI), often called a researcher ID, is a persistent digital code assigned to individual scholars to distinguish their work across databases and platforms. Common examples include ORCID iDs and ResearcherID from Web of Science.
Definition
It acts like a personal barcode for academics, linking your publications, grants, and contributions unambiguously, even if names or affiliations change. Unlike generic names, it's permanent and machine-readable, preventing mix-ups among researchers with similar names.
Importance
RUIs are vital for accurate tracking of citations, h-index, and impact metrics, saving time on manual data entry during submissions or funding applications. They enable better collaboration, automated reporting to institutions, and global discoverability of your research profile. Many funders, journals (like ours), and platforms now require them to uphold transparency and data integrity.
A DOI stands for Digital Object Identifier. It is a short, unique code (for example, 10.5281/xxxx) that points to a specific article, dataset, or other digital work. Unlike an ordinary web address, a DOI does not change even if the article moves to a new location, so readers can always find the correct version.
Journals use DOIs so that each article can be clearly and permanently identified. This helps in several ways:
1.It makes your article easier to find and cite correctly in other papers.
2.It supports citation tracking (for example, in databases and citation tools), which increases your work’s visibility and impact.
3.It helps indexers, databases, and repositories link your article accurately to you and to related research outputs.
Our journal uses Zenodo, an open‑access digital archive developed by CERN, to assign DOIs to our articles. We choose Zenodo because:
1.It provides permanent, citable DOIs at no cost to authors or the journal, which is especially helpful for small or nonprofit journals.
2.It stores a public copy of our article in an internationally recognized repository, improving long‑term preservation and discovery.
3.Zenodo indexes DOI metadata in global systems, so our articles appear more easily in searches and can be linked reliably to other research outputs.
ORCID stands for Open Researcher and Contributor ID. It's a 16-digit code (like 0000-0002-1825-0097) that identifies you as a researcher, no matter your name changes, affiliations, or locations. Think of it like a personal barcode for your academic life—permanent and easy to use everywhere.
Authors need an ORCID to ensure their publications get correctly linked to them, avoiding mix-ups with others who share similar names. It saves time during submissions, grants, or job applications by auto-filling your profile details. Funders and platforms like PubMed increasingly require it for tracking contributions accurately.
We encourage authors to get an ORCID because it boosts your work's visibility and discoverability worldwide. Journals like ours use it to streamline peer review, maintain trustworthy records, and meet global standards—over 7,000 journals already collect them. It's quick to register at orcid.org and supports open research practices we value.
The International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) identifies ongoing publications such as journals, magazines, and newspapers, in print or digital formats. Each ISSN links to one specific title and medium (e.g., print gets one, online another), making it a permanent identifier throughout the publication's life.
ISSN vs. ISBN
ISSN covers serials with ongoing issues (same code for all volumes), while ISBN identifies single books or editions (unique per book/format like hardcover or eBook). For example, a journal uses one ISSN across issues; a novel needs a new ISBN per edition. Both are standardized but serve distinct needs—serials vs. monographs.
ISSN in the Philippines
The ISSN National Centre of the Philippines, under the National Library, assigns and manages ISSNs locally via an online system (INS-POAS) launched in 2021. Publishers apply online with publication details; it's free, quick, and supports legal deposit, archiving, and international recognition without implying copyright.
Why Consider ISSN for Journals?
An ISSN boosts credibility, eases library cataloging, and improves visibility in databases, helping authors reach wider audiences. It prevents duplication, supports subscriptions, and is often required for indexing, funding, or institutional recognition—key for our journal's quality standards.
