Peer-reviewed journal articles form the backbone of academic research across most university disciplines. Whether writing an essay, laboratory report, literature review, or dissertation chapter, students are expected to reference journal articles accurately and consistently.
One of the most important elements in modern journal referencing is the DOI (Digital Object Identifier). Understanding how to cite a journal article with a DOI is essential because examiners increasingly treat DOI accuracy as an indicator of referencing competence and source credibility.
This guide explains what a DOI is, why it matters, and how to cite a journal article with a DOI correctly in university assignments using academically accepted conventions.
What Is a DOI and Why It Matters in Academic Referencing
A DOI, or Digital Object Identifier, is a permanent alphanumeric string assigned to a scholarly work. Unlike URLs, DOIs remain stable even if a journal article is moved to a different web address.
Universities and academic publishers prefer DOIs because they guarantee long-term access to sources. For this reason, most referencing styles instruct students to include the DOI whenever it is available.
Academic rule: If a journal article has a DOI, it must be included in the reference entry.
Failing to include a DOI when one exists is considered an incomplete reference in many marking rubrics.
Standard Format for Citing a Journal Article with DOI
While formatting details vary slightly across referencing styles, the structure for journal articles with DOIs follows a consistent logical order. In APA-style academic writing, the DOI is presented as a URL.
Author, A. A., Author, B. B. (Year). Title of article. Title of Journal, volume(issue), page range. https://doi.org/xxxxx
The DOI always appears at the end of the reference and is written as a full hyperlink.
Example of a Journal Article Citation with DOI
The table below shows a clear, assignment-ready example of how to cite a journal article with a DOI.
| Element | Example |
|---|---|
| Authors | Brown, L. M., & Chen, Y. |
| Year | (2021). |
| Article title | Digital literacy in higher education. |
| Journal details | Journal of Educational Research, 114(3), 245–260. |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1080/00220671.2021.1893456 |
This format is suitable for essays, reports, research proposals, and postgraduate dissertations.
How to Cite a Journal Article with DOI in the Reference List
When compiling a reference list, journal articles with DOIs must follow strict punctuation and formatting rules. The journal title and volume number are italicised, while the issue number appears in brackets without italics.
The DOI is not preceded by “Retrieved from” or “doi:” in modern academic referencing. It is presented as a clickable URL starting with https://doi.org/.
Examiner expectation: Do not place a full stop after the DOI.
Adding punctuation after the DOI is a common technical error that can cost marks in referencing-weighted assessments.
In-Text Citations for Journal Articles with DOI
The DOI does not appear in in-text citations. Instead, in-text citations follow the standard author-date format.
Parenthetical citation:
(Brown & Chen, 2021)
Narrative citation:
Brown and Chen (2021) argue that digital literacy must be embedded across university curricula.
The DOI is used solely in the reference list to ensure traceability.
What to Do If a Journal Article Has Both a DOI and a URL
If both a DOI and a URL are available, the DOI always takes precedence. Students should not include the database URL or publisher link in place of the DOI.
This rule applies even if the article was accessed through platforms such as JSTOR, ScienceDirect, or ProQuest.
Critical warning: Never include database URLs when a DOI is available.
Database URLs are session-based and do not meet academic permanence standards.
How to Cite a Journal Article Without a DOI
If no DOI exists, students should include a stable URL instead. This usually applies to older articles or journals that do not assign DOIs.
Example:
Taylor, R. J. (2010). Social identity and group behaviour. British Journal of Sociology, 61(2), 312–329. https://www.jstor.org/stable/40926014
However, students should always verify whether a DOI exists before defaulting to a URL.
Common Mistakes When Citing Journal Articles with DOI
University markers frequently identify the same DOI-related errors across student submissions. These include:
- Omitting the DOI even when one is available
- Using “doi:” instead of a DOI URL
- Placing a full stop after the DOI
- Including database links instead of the DOI
These errors signal weak referencing literacy and can reduce the credibility of otherwise strong academic work.
Why Accurate DOI Citation Matters for Academic Integrity
Accurate DOI citation ensures transparency, traceability, and academic integrity. It allows examiners to verify sources quickly and confirms that students are engaging with peer-reviewed research rather than unreliable online material.
In higher-level assessments, especially dissertations and journal-style assignments, correct DOI usage reflects advanced academic writing competence.
Final Guidance on How to Cite a Journal Article with DOI
Learning how to cite a journal article with a DOI is a foundational academic skill that supports credible, high-quality research writing. By following the structured examples and rules outlined in this guide, students can meet university expectations with confidence.
Precision, consistency, and attention to detail are essential. When applied correctly, DOI-based citations strengthen both the authority of sources and the overall quality of academic work.
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