ORCID - Researcher identifier system

ORCID provides a persistent digital identifier for researchers that distinguishes them from other researchers and connects them with their research activities and outputs across their entire career. As a non-profit organization, ORCID addresses the name ambiguity problem in scholarly communication by providing each researcher with a unique 16-digit identifier that remains constant throughout their career.

The system serves as a hub that connects researchers with their professional activities, ensuring proper attribution of research outputs regardless of name changes, institutional affiliations, or career transitions.

What Makes ORCID Different

ORCID’s persistent identification approach includes:

• Unique 16-digit identifier that remains constant throughout a researcher’s career
• Integration with major publishers, funding agencies, and institutional systems
• Comprehensive profile that aggregates all research activities and outputs
• Privacy controls that allow researchers to manage the visibility of their information
• Automated data integration from trusted sources like CrossRef and institutional repositories
• Non-profit governance that ensures researcher interests remain the priority

Researchers and academic institutions choose ORCID when they need a reliable way to ensure proper attribution of research outputs and streamline the administrative burden of maintaining accurate researcher profiles across multiple systems.

Key Features

• Persistent Identifier - Unique 16-digit ID that distinguishes researchers from others with similar names • Research Profile - Comprehensive record of publications, grants, affiliations, and other scholarly activities • Automated Integration - Connect with publishers, funders, and institutions for automatic profile updates • Privacy Controls - Granular settings to control the visibility of different types of information • Workflow Integration - Seamless integration with manuscript submission and grant application systems • Data Portability - Export and import research information across different platforms and systems • Verification System - Trusted sources can add and verify information in researcher profiles • Global Standards - Interoperability with international research information systems

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Solves the critical problem of researcher name disambiguation in scholarly communication • Free service supported by non-profit organization focused on researcher interests • Extensive integration with publishers, funders, and institutional systems worldwide • Reduces administrative burden by automating profile updates from trusted sources • Privacy controls allow researchers to manage their professional information visibility • Persistent identifier ensures proper attribution throughout entire research career

Cons

• Requires ongoing maintenance to keep profile information current and complete • Limited social networking and collaboration features compared to academic social platforms • Adoption varies across disciplines and institutions, affecting universal utility • Privacy settings can be complex to configure for optimal visibility and control • Integration quality varies depending on participating organizations and systems • May feel impersonal compared to more interactive academic networking platforms

Get Started with ORCID

Ready to get started? Visit ORCID to explore the platform and begin using this tool.