There are many different ways to register your DOI records with Crossref depending on your platform and record type. You might be able to set up your publishing platform to send the records to us, you might need to use a helper tool (such as our new Metadata Manager tool or our older Web Deposit form) or you may be able to send us XML files.
Our member application form includes the question “Which record registration method would you like to use?”. As a Member Support Specialist, I check and process numerous applications daily, and I often find that applicants haven’t decided which method to use and select “We don’t know yet”. But it’s important to consider which option you will use before applying - letting us know which method you will use ensures we can set you up correctly and send you the information you need to get started.
Our goal is to make our work more accessible to the diverse community we currently serve. We try to respond to the trends that we observe in our community and explore possible solutions to help our members get the most out of our services. To address the difficulties our applicants face in choosing a record registration method, I worked with colleagues in the Co-creation and Community Trends (CCT) program to develop an online chooser. I imagined a tool that feels like filling out a quiz - fun, easy to use, and helps you make decisions out of so many options. Now, let me guide you through what’s inside the chooser.
What questions do you need to answer in the chooser?
The Record Registration chooser includes several multiple-choice and tick-box questions. Every choice will lead you to another question, and you will end up on a page where you can find a suitable record registration method for you. This quiz takes approximately 1-2 minutes to answer. Here’s what the chooser looks like:
You will start with a question asking if you use the OJS platform from PKP, as we know many of our new applicants use this platform. If you select this option, you don’t need to go any further, as you can configure the OJS platform to send your DOI records to us (read more). There are several additional plugins for OJS users to enrich your records too. You must have an ISSN to register DOI records via OJS. If you are in the middle of applying for an ISSN, we recommend waiting until your journal has been assigned an ISSN before starting. We don’t recommend starting to register your records without an ISSN through a different record registration method, as it will be more complicated to add the OJS plugins and your ISSN later.
If you are not using the OJS platform, we will ask if you are comfortable working with XML. There are two ways that you can deposit XML files with us: uploading your XML file to our admin tool, or depositing your XML using HTTPS POST. Both methods require knowledge of writing and formatting XML files. These methods cover all content types, which makes direct XML deposit one of the more flexible methods of Content Registration if you’re able to work directly with XML.
If you don’t feel comfortable working with XML, we will ask you what record types you would like to deposit with us.
If you wish to register journal articles, books and chapters, reports/working papers, dissertations, grants, or post-publication updates (such as retraction notices) for journal content, we recommend using Metadata Manager. To register journal articles using Metadata Manager, you need to have an ISSN.
Our Web Deposit Form is suitable for registering journal articles without an ISSN, or conference proceedings that our Metadata Manager currently does not cover. We also have a video tutorial on how to register your metadata using Web Deposit Form.
After answering all the questions, you will be redirected to a page where you find your suggested content registration method. Click “Learn More”, and a new window will open to documentation about your selected method. This is what the recommendation page looks like:
Registering multiple record types
Each record registration method has its own features and limitations, and you can’t currently use every method to register every single type of record. If you want to register a range of record types with us, you might have to use more than one record registration method
If this is your case, the chooser will suggest more than one method. Take your time to learn the documentation and see how you’d like to combine the record registration methods that work best for you. If you have a tricky case involving different combinations of record types, we will be happy to help you decide on the right content registration method; just contact our Support team to discuss your options.
Tell us how you find the chooser useful
We look forward to receiving your feedback on this chooser. If you are thinking of any other interactive tools that could make your experience as a member smoother, please also let us know. Leave your comment in this Community forum post, or send us your feedback directly. I can’t wait to work on another project for you.