Editorial: 20 Years of Persistent Identifiers – Applications and Future Directions

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5334/dsj-2017-052

Keywords:

persistent identifiers, data publication, linked data, web technology, interoperability

Abstract

Persistent identifiers (PID) have existed for more than 20 years and have become well established as a means for identifying literature and data on the web. They were invented to address the problem of disappearing internet links, also known as “link rot”, which was seen as undermining the emerging digital record of science. A number of PID systems have since been developed, and their utility for the management of the scientific record has been reviewed. Since the initial launch of the Handle System, we have seen many more uses for persistent identification, besides literature and data. A session at the European Geosciences Union General Assembly 2016 was dedicated to ‘20 years of persistent identifiers – where do we go next?’ A number of contributions from this session have since been developed into full papers that form this Data Science Journal Special Collection, with additional solicited contributions. Together, these papers give us an overview of the use of persistent identifiers in research information infrastructures and possible future directions.

Author Biographies

Jens Klump, Mineral Resources, CSIRO, Kensington, Western Australia

Jens Klump is a geochemist by training and OCE Science Leader Earth Science Informatics in CSIRO Mineral Resources and is based in Perth, Western Australia. His involvement in the development of publication and citation of research data through Digital Object Identifiers (DOI) sparked further work on research data infrastructures, such as enterprise data management systems and long-term digital archives. Jens current work focuses on data in minerals exploration, looking at data capture and data analysis. This includes automated data and metadata capture, sensor data integration, both in the field and in the laboratory, data processing workflows, and data provenance, but also data analysis by statistical methods, machine learning and numerical modelling. Jens is the vice-president of the International Geo Sample Number Implementation Organization (IGSN). The organisation coordinates the development and introduction of persistent identifiers for physical specimens of research materials.

Fiona Murphy, Department of Meteorology, University of Reading, Reading, Berkshire

An independent research/data/publishing consultant with an Associate Fellowship at the University of Reading, Fiona Murphy is a current and past member of several research projects including PREPARDE (Peer Review of Research Data in the Earth Sciences), Data2Paper (a cloud-based app for automating the data article submission process) and the Belmont Forum (a multi-national, multi-agency global environmental change project – in association with the University of Reading). Amongst other activities, she is co-chair of the WDS-RDA Publishing Data Workflows Working Group, a member of the RDA Europe Industry Advisory Board and on the organising committee for the Force11 Scholarly Commons Working Group, and sits on the board of the data repository, Dryad. She is also an Editorial Board Member of the Data Science Journal. Fiona has written and presented widely on data publishing, open data and open science. She also loves organising events, building project teams and raising awareness and capabilities among knowledge workers. Previously: After completing a DPhil in English Literature, Fiona held a range of scholarly publishing roles with Oxford University Press, Bloomsbury Academic and Wiley. As Publisher for Earth and Environmental Sciences at Wiley, she began to specialise in emerging scholarly communications with particular emphasis on Open Science and Open Data.

Tobias Weigel, Data Management, German Climate Computing Center, Hamburg

Tobias works at the German Climate Computing Center (DKRZ) with a focus on the development of e-science infrastructure components and operational concepts for PIDs.

Mark A. Parsons, Tetherless World Constellation, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York

A recognized global leader in data science and stewardship with more than 20 years of experience creating data systems, collaborative communities, and innovative data products. Repeatedly and effectively built dynamic, functional teams across all sorts of differences in language and professional cultures. Defined and implemented philosophies, policies, and operational processes that increased the value of diverse data ranging from satellite remote-sensing to historical records to Indigenous knowledge. An expert communicator who revels in understanding and sharing different perspectives. Published influential articles that have guided national data policy and practice and contributed to educational programs. Essential understanding of government and policy issues. Overall excellent data management skills and solid understanding of data analysis tools, especially GIS and Excel. Well versed in modern information and communications technologies. Adaptive and responsive — not only embraces but facilitates change.

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Published

2017-12-11

Issue

Vol. 16 (2017)

Section

Editorial Content

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