Key points at a glance
- Resolve the DOI and inspect a reliable metadata record.
- Compare author, title, year, venue and version.
- Read the source and correct imported citation fields.
Check the identifier and the work
Open the DOI link and see whether it reaches the expected publication. Compare metadata with the publisher page or original PDF. A working link can still point to the wrong paper if the identifier was mistyped.
Distinguish publication versions
A preprint, accepted manuscript and version of record may differ in pagination, date or even title. Cite the version you used according to the required style. Check for later corrections or retractions when relevant.
Review reference-manager imports
Imported records can have wrong capitalisation, missing issue numbers or an incorrect item type. Audit core references in your bibliography against the source. Treat AI-suggested references as unverified until you find the publication.
Do not invent a missing DOI
Books, older papers and institutional reports can be credible without one. Use the other details required by your citation style and, where appropriate, a stable URL.
Final submission context
Formal details can feel like a separate writing task, but they matter just as much for a printed submission. Anything missing, misplaced or inconsistently formatted in the document will also appear in the bound copy.
Use this guide together with your cover page, table of contents, page numbers, source notes and appendices. Prepare the final PDF for printing and binding only after the complete file has been checked.
Practical check before PDF export
- Do headings, chapter structure and page numbers match?
- Are sources, figures and tables included completely?
- Are required elements such as declarations, appendices or the cover page included where required?
- Did you open and check the final PDF after exporting it?
Checklist
- DOI resolves to the intended work.
- Record matches the document.
- Publication version established.
- Missing identifiers not fabricated.
Common mistakes
- Treating a DOI as a quality seal.
- Mixing preprint and journal-version details.
- Trusting AI-generated references without verification.
Prepare the finished thesis for submission
Once the content and university requirements are checked, review your PDF and the available printing and binding options.
Review printing optionsRelated content
Explore related guidance on thesis structure, sources, formatting and final submission.
Frequently asked questions
Does every scholarly source have a DOI?
No. DOI assignment is common but not universal.
Is a working DOI enough?
No. Confirm that it identifies the work and version you cite.
What if publication years differ?
Check online and print versions and follow the citation style.