APS News

APS Cultivates ORCID Links

Corresponding authors of Physical Review journal papers will supply a unique identifier as part of the submission process

July 18, 2017

On July 18, 2017 APS, along with the Institute of Physics Publishing (IOPP) will take an important step towards working more closely with the Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID) system of unique identifiers by signing the ORCID open letter requiring the collection of ORCID iDs in their publishing processes. In signing the letter, APS will also commit to ORCID’s guidelines for best practice for publishers.

ORCID iDs are unique identifiers that can be used to link authors unambiguously to the papers they publish thus ensuring that they get full credit for their work. They can also be used by researchers to identify themselves in their roles as reviewers, editors, and funding recipients. Signing up for an ORCID iD is simple, quick, and free, and collects no more information about the applicant than needed when registering for an email or social media account.

APS has been a member of ORCID since its founding in 2012, and has encouraged authors of journal papers to sign up for the scheme. Initially, only the ORCID iDs of corresponding authors on papers submitted to the Physical Review journals will be collected and the requirement will be rolled out across the Physical Review journals in the coming months. Other contributing authors will be encouraged to include their ORCID iDs although this will not be required.

“There is no doubt that ORCID will be of considerable benefit to all,” said APS Editor in Chief Pierre Meystre. “In addition to the direct benefits to researchers, wider use of ORCID iDs will further improve the peer review process by helping publishers to more easily identify the most qualified reviewers worldwide.”

“ORCID IDs will make a huge difference to the research community when it comes to being accurately credited for their work, and in tracking their publications over the course of their careers,” said APS Publisher, Matthew Salter.

“With several major funders now requiring ORCID IDs as part of their grant application process, we hope that this will reduce the administrative burden on researchers as well as providing scholarly benefits” Salter added.

For more information on ORCID including how to sign up for identifier, visit orcid.org

ORCID logo