What is an ISBN?

An International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is a unique identifier used by publishers, booksellers, libraries, internet retailers and other supply chain participants for ordering, listing, sales records and stock control purposes. The ISBN identifies the registrant and the book’s specific title, edition and format.

We register ISBNs for Maastricht University Press publications, and UM staff can also obtain an ISBN for Maastricht University print publications that become publicly available via the Maastricht University Library.

Digital identifiers for dissertations

At Maastricht University Library, we are committed to enhancing the visibility and accessibility of our research output. To support this goal, we have updated our approach to identifying and sharing dissertations to reflect the current workflows and the goals of our Open Science policy.

DOIs for digital dissertations

We focus on collecting and preserving digital versions of dissertations in our repository. To support findability and accessibility, we register a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) for each dissertation.

DOIs are crucial for:

  • Ensuring persistent online findability
  • Facilitating accurate citation
  • Enhancing the discoverability of research
  • Supporting compliance with FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable)

All digital dissertations are made findable and accessible via Maastricht University | MUMC+ Research Information.

If you want to include your DOI in the hard copy of your dissertation, we can send it to you before printing. Please send your request to repository@maastrichtuniversity.nl after your defence date has been set.

ISBNs for print dissertations

While we no longer register International Standard Book Numbers (ISBNs) for dissertations, PhD candidates can obtain an ISBN. Most print services for dissertations offer ISBN registration as part of their service. We recommend contacting your chosen print service provider if you need an ISBN for your print dissertation.

Understanding ISBNs and DOIs

ISBN (International Standard Book Number)

  • A unique identifier for books and other forms of publication
  • Primarily used in the book trade for ordering, listing, and stock control
  • Typically associated with physical publications

DOI (Digital Object Identifier)

  • A persistent identifier for digital objects, including research outputs
  • Ensures long-term access to digital content, even if the URL changes
  • Essential for accurate citation and tracking of research impact in the digital realm

By focusing on DOIs for digital dissertations, we aim to maximise the visibility and impact of our researchers’ work in the increasingly digital scholarly landscape.

If you have any questions about digital identifiers or need us to register an ISBN for your work, please get in touch with the library’s Scholarly Communications team using the web form below.