Direct comparison
Igsn Vs Doi: Key Differences & Comparison | CASRAI
IGSN identifies a physical sample — the specimen itself — while a DOI identifies a digital object such as an article, dataset, or software. Since 2021 IGSN IDs are issued as DataCite DOIs.
Side-by-side comparison
| Dimension | IGSN | DOI |
|---|---|---|
| What is identified | A physical sample or specimen (rock, core, water, tissue) | A digital object (article, dataset, software version) |
| Issuing infrastructure | DataCite, via the 2021 IGSN partnership; agents like SESAR | Registration agencies such as Crossref and DataCite |
| Granularity | An individual sample, including parent and sub-samples | A single, fixed digital output |
| Metadata schema | Sample-focused metadata, now on DataCite's schema | Object-focused metadata of the registration agency |
| Use case | Track a specimen across measurements and collections | Cite and persistently link a published output |
| Resolvability | Resolves to a landing page describing the sample | Resolves to a landing page for the digital object |
| Relationship | IGSN IDs are now issued as DataCite DOIs | Provides the underlying infrastructure IGSN now uses |
| Maturity / adoption | Newer; used mainly in sample-rich disciplines | Long-established and near-ubiquitous for outputs |
Common questions
FAQ
Is an IGSN just a type of DOI now?+
Since the 2021 partnership between IGSN e.V. and DataCite, IGSN IDs are issued as DataCite DOIs, so they run on DOI infrastructure. What makes an IGSN distinct is what it identifies — a physical sample — rather than the digital objects that DOIs traditionally name.
Why not just give a sample a normal dataset DOI?+
A dataset DOI names the digital data, not the physical object the data came from. The IGSN identifies the specimen itself, so multiple datasets, analyses, and papers derived from the same sample can all reference one stable identifier for that object.
Do IGSN and DOI compete?+
No — they are complementary and now share infrastructure. The IGSN identifies the physical sample; DOIs identify the digital outputs derived from it. Linking them connects the physical and digital research records.
Going deeper
