According to CrossRef (2002), a DOI (digital object identifier) is a "unique alphanumeric string assigned to a digital object, such as an electronic journal, article, report, or thesis. Each DOI name is unique and serves as a stable, persistent link to the full-text of an electronic item on the Internet".
APA Citation Style requires that you include a DOI when available for journal article citations. If no DOI is assigned and the reference was retrieved online, give the URL of the journal home page.
APA follows the guidelines of Crossref concerning the format of a DOI. Effective March 2017 Crossref has updated their DOI display guidelines in the form of a URL. The new format looks like this: https://doi.org/10.1037/arc000001
Here is an example of an APA Style reference with DOI:
The NIC electronic databases will include both old and new DOI formats and currently, both are considered correct APA Style; however, APA recommends picking one format to use consistently throughout a reference list. To adhere to the newest guidelines and maintain consistency, remove doi: or http://dx.doi.org/ and add https://doi.org/ in front of the doi number. If the DOI is displaying as an active link in your reference list, remember to deactivate the link. Examples of the new and old formats are below:
NEW Format:
OLD Formats:
If you ONLY have the DOI and need to find article information, use the following link :
From there, you can type or paste the DOI in the search box. The search will (in most cases) lead you to the publisher's website.