Run a repeatable DOI-title audit by reviewing Zotero's potential duplicates, resolving each DOI to its deposited record, and logging every title match, mismatch, and merge decision before you change the library. The audit log is the reusable part: it lets a second reviewer retrace each decision and shows which records were checked against deposited metadata.
Set up the audit log first
Create a log with one row per item: library item key, DOI, resolved landing page, deposited title, library title, match or mismatch, action taken, and reviewer initials. Fill the log before editing so the original state stays visible.
Run the audit
- Open Zotero's duplicate detection and review each potential duplicate pair. Zotero's merge interface preserves collections and tags while combining item records, so record the merge decision and the surviving item key in the log before merging.
- Resolve each DOI through the Handle System to the landing page the registrant maintains, then compare the deposited title with the title in your Zotero record. A DOI resolves to current information supplied for the identified object, so the landing page reflects what the registrant currently supplies.
- Query the DOI against Crossref's works route to retrieve the metadata deposited for that DOI, and compare that deposited title with both the landing-page title and your library title. Log each comparison as a match or mismatch.
- Resolve every mismatch before merging: correct the library title to the deposited title, or record why the library title differs. Then merge duplicates and mark the log row closed.
What the log should show
A finished audit trail shows, for each item, the DOI, the deposited title from Crossref, the library title, the comparison result, and the merge or correction decision. Keep the log with the reviewed collection so the same checks can be repeated on the next import.