Can I use the DOI format provided by library databases?

It depends on the library database you are using. Often, the DOI provided in library databases is in the correct format. However, some databases or websites can provide DOIs that are not in the correct APA 7 format.

No matter what format of DOI/URL you are provided, you will revise it to follow APA’s base template for DOIs and URLs.

• Base APA template for DOI/URL: https://doi.org/xxxxxxxxxx

For example, the following DOI should be revised in the following way:

• DOI/URL from Crossref.org/guestquery: http://dx.doi.org/10.6017/ital.v40i4.13353
• DOI/URL revised for APA style: https://doi.org/10.6017/ital.v40i4.13353

In this case, “dx” was removed from the original DOI/URL. You will make similar changes if you are provided DOI/URLs that have any other additions to the base APA template for DOI/URLs.

Finally, note that databases or websites may provide you the DOI/URL in plain text. For your academic writing, add a hyperlink to that DOI/URL, as live hyperlinks should be used in documents meant for screen reading.

Always review the DOI format suggested by library databases or citation software. Even when the suggestions are designated as being in APA style, the format can still be incorrect.

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