Persistent Identifiers in the traceability of scientific research using OpenAlex

The digital environment has witnessed a profound technological transformation that has simplified access to and utilization of digital resources, with scientific research being included in this landscape. However, the dynamics and instability of the digital sphere have presented challenges in ensuring the sustained localization and accessibility of these resources. In response to this dilemma, Persistent Identifiers have emerged, designed to maintain an unequivocal identification of resources regardless of their location or format. In Panama, the use of identifiers has gained significance, with the Technological University of Panama adopting the DOI identifier for its publications and promoting ORCID in its academic journals. Platforms such as Google Scholar and OpenAlex have been instrumental in attempting to assess the visibility and measure the impact of scientific documents, but accurate measurement depends on the unique identification of all participants in the scientific ecosystem. This document evaluates the use of persistent identifiers in Panamanian institutions and reveals that only eight out of 27 evaluated institutions have integrated these identifiers, with OpenAlex being the platform that has successfully incorporated these resources. Google Scholar serves as a valuable supplementary measurement tool due to its broader coverage. Nevertheless, it is emphasized that the institutions must contribute to the use of PIDs to enhance the measurement and visibility of scientific research in Panama.