Integrating ARK Persistent Identifiers into Research Data Infrastructure

Abstract

The integration of Archival Resource Key persistent identifiers into research data infrastructure addresses the growing need for durable, actionable, and interoperable links to digital scholarly resources. ARKs provide a flexible and decentralized identifier framework that supports long-term access, precise citation, and reliable linking across heterogeneous collections. Their adaptability to both machine-readable and human-readable representations makes them suitable for a wide range of research outputs, including evolving datasets and non-traditional materials. By embedding ARKs into repository workflows, institutions can enhance metadata quality, strengthen interoperability, and align with open science mandates while retaining local control over identifier namespaces. The adoption of ARKs complements other persistent identifier systems, such as DOIs, creating a more resilient and inclusive scholarly communication ecosystem. While integration presents technical, policy, and sustainability challenges, the benefits for discovery, preservation, and reproducibility underscore ARKs’ potential to play a central role in global research data stewardship.