First Digital Object Identifier (DOI) assigned to online course resulting from a research project

NAU, a digital service provided by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) and developed by FCCN, has assigned the first DOI (Digital Object Identifier) to a MOOC (Massive Open Online Course ) resulting from a research project.

The course that received the distinction was developed by the Institute of Medieval Studies (IEM), a research unit linked to NOVA FCSH , and is called "Portugal in the Middle Ages: a kingdom with democratic municipalities and no cities?" This online course attracted more than 2,400 registrants from 25 countries across America, Africa, Europe, and Asia, with a pass rate of 28%, which exceeded the rate predicted in scientific studies.

The DOI (Digital Object Identifier) is a unique digital identifier that guarantees permanent reference to documents or digital objects, regardless of any changes to hyperlinks. Widely used in scientific publications, the DOI facilitates citation, access, and traceability of content, promoting academic collaboration and contributing to the recognition and reputation of authors.

Producing a MOOC based on a research project is an effective strategy for expanding scientific dissemination and increasing the impact of the results obtained. By reaching a wide and diverse audience, they promote open science, transparency, and accessibility to knowledge.

This strategy is also a way of meeting funding requirements related to public dissemination and ensures the sustainability of results, which remain available in the long term. When associated with a DOI, MOOC content also becomes easily citable and recognizable, contributing to the visibility of the researchers involved and the institution to which they are affiliated.

NAU, FCT's digital service, is co-financed by Investment RE-C05-i08 "Ciência Mais Digital" ( More Digital Science ) of the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR).