Quick Tips for URI-based Naming Systems for Science

The following advice for creating URIs to use for scientific identifiers references URI-based Naming Systems for Science.

• Use HTTP URLs

• Choose a domain that reflects the level of community ownership

  It is not trivial to create a contract protects the community's ownership of an identifier. However, investing that effort may be worthwhile for establishing community confidence. The following ownership options decrease in effort and security against shifts in use or priorities:

  • find or create an owner organization

    Create a legal entity which has finances and contractual obligations to maintain the identifier within the community's general interest.

  • create a PURL with chosen trusted owners

    Select a small number of trusted individuals to serve as editors of the PURL.

  • create in institutional space

    Allocate web space within your own institution, seeking promises of longevity from your adminstration.

• Distinguish information identifier from a web page

  Note that assertions about the identified should be distinguishable from assertions about the page documenting the identified. See Choosing between 303 and Hash.

  • RDF document with node identifier

  • HTTP redirect to backing document

• Place useful information at the URL

  A user who places the identifier in the location bar of a web browser should get back useful information about the identified concept or object.

• Keep identifiers unambiguous

  Do not re-use an identifier for a new meaning, or a meaning that has been generalized enough that it is likely to break the interpretation of existing published data.