Digital preservation has always been a crucial aspect of scholarly research. It ensures that important scholarly works are not lost and can be accessed by future generations. However, with the rapid growth of digital information, the process of preserving scholarly records has become more challenging. A recent study of Crossref DOI data by Martin Eve has shed light on the potential risks that our current standard of digital preservation may pose for the accurate record of scholarly works.
The study analyzed the persistence of digital objects through the use of DOI (Digital Object Identifier), a unique alphanumeric string assigned to a digital object to identify and link it to its location on the internet. The findings of the study revealed that a significant number of scholarly works are at risk of being lost or becoming inaccurate due to various factors such as link rot, format obsolescence, and digital decay.
Link rot, also known as link death, refers to the phenomenon where URLs become inaccessible or broken over time. This can happen due to various reasons such as websites being shut down, URLs being changed, or content being removed. The study found that approximately 10% of scholarly works with DOIs were affected by link rot, making them inaccessible to readers. This poses a serious threat to the persistence and accuracy of scholarly works, as the content may no longer be available for future researchers to access.
Moreover, format obsolescence is another major risk facing digital scholarly records. With the ever-evolving technology, file formats can quickly become obsolete, making it impossible to open and access digital objects. This can lead to the loss of important research data and affect the integrity of scholarly works. The study revealed that approximately 20% of scholarly works with DOIs were at risk of format obsolescence. This highlights the need for continuous efforts to update and migrate digital objects to newer formats to ensure their long-term accessibility.
In addition to these risks, digital decay is also a growing concern for the preservation of scholarly records. Digital decay refers to the gradual deterioration of digital objects over time due to hardware or software failures, data corruption, or other technical issues. The study found that approximately 5% of scholarly works with DOIs were affected by digital decay. This can lead to the loss of important research data and may result in inaccurate or incomplete records of scholarly works.
These findings indicate that our current standard of digital preservation may fall short in ensuring a persistent and accurate record of scholarly works. This is a cause for concern, particularly in the field of social sciences, where data and evidence are crucial for research and decision-making. The potential loss of valuable research data due to link rot, format obsolescence, and digital decay can have far-reaching consequences for the advancement of knowledge in these fields.
In light of these risks, it is essential for the scholarly community to take proactive measures to improve the standard of digital preservation. One way to achieve this is by promoting the use of persistent identifiers, such as DOIs, for all digital objects. This will help to maintain the integrity and accessibility of scholarly works over time. Additionally, regular monitoring and updating of digital objects can help to mitigate the risks of link rot and format obsolescence. Moreover, investing in robust and sustainable digital infrastructure is crucial for ensuring the long-term preservation of scholarly records.
Furthermore, there is a need for collaboration and coordination among various stakeholders in the scholarly community to address these challenges. Publishers, libraries, and researchers must work together to develop and implement effective preservation strategies and policies. This will not only safeguard the integrity of scholarly works but also promote the open and transparent sharing of research data.
In conclusion, the study of Crossref DOI data has brought to light the potential risks facing digital scholarly records. Link rot, format obsolescence, and digital decay pose a threat to the persistence and accuracy of these records. It is essential for the scholarly community to take immediate action to improve the standard of digital preservation and ensure the long-term accessibility of valuable research data. By working together and investing in sustainable digital infrastructure, we can pave the way for a more robust and reliable system of preserving scholarly records for future generations.
