ISBN vs ISSN: Which identifier do you need for your publication?  A guidance document

Sara Jani, Valentina De Col, Enrico Bonaiuti. (3/9/2026). ISBN vs ISSN: Which identifier do you need for your publication? A guidance document[Guideline]. Beirut, Lebanon: International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA).

Abstract

ICARDA publications are meant to be easily discoverable, accessible, and citable. Having the correct identifiers is essential, as they enhance discoverability and credibility, meet compliance standards, and simplify tracking within the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) platform and MELSpace, ICARDA’s public repository for approved knowledge products. For monographic publications like books and reports, researchers should request an International Standard Book Number (ISBN). In contrast, recurring series such as policy briefs, working papers, manuals, and newsletters require an International Standard Serial Number (ISSN). Annual reports are unique and need both an ISSN for the series and an ISBN for that specific year’s volume. Before requesting any identifiers, researchers must ensure that their drafts are uploaded to MEL with the necessary core metadata. This guide clarifies which publications require ISBNs or ISSNs and provides step-by-step instructions for requesting these identifiers. The Communications and MEL teams are responsible for coordinating approvals and generating ISBNs and ISSNs. This guide serves as a resource for ICARDA staff, outlining which publications need specific identifiers and detailing the workflows for requests and approvals. The decision tree in Annex A will serve as a checklist and support navigating the workflow from the identifier request through to publication.