Introduction
Journal of Critical Applied Linguistics Studies (JCALS) is an international and multidisciplinary peer-reviewed journal that considers any original contribution improving or shedding lights on applied linguistics research and practice, or providing evidence about developing, implementing, and analyzing applied linguistics issues. JCALS is intended to enhance communication among applied linguistics researchers, policy and decision-makers, professionals, and practitioners. JCALS publishes diverse categories of articles. All types of articles are subject to double-blind peer-review. The journal publishes the following types of contribution:
Editorial
Editorials are the message of the JCALS and are written in-house by the journal's Editorial Board members. These provide state of the art discussions on the JCALS main scopes. The title should be short and not descriptive. We prefer this kind of articles written by few authors (maximum 3 authors). Please find further details in Table.
Viewpoint
These articles are opinion-based and present a new and unique viewpoint on existing problems, fundamental concepts, or prevalent notions of linguistics study policy and practice interest. The title should be short and not descriptive. We prefer this kind of articles written by few authors (maximum 3 authors). Please find further details in Table.
Review Article
These articles consist of Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis, Meta-Synthesis, and Scoping Review. Inclusion and exclusion criteria for studies should be described in a flow diagram. The specific type of study or analysis, intervention, population, exposure, outcomes or tests should be described for each data source or article. Authors should clearly cover the following topics in the method section: search strategy and selection criteria, data extraction, quality assessment, and data analysis. A structured abstract is required that should include: Background, Methods, Results, Conclusion, and Registry Name and Number (if the protocol of these articles had been registered in a registry system).
Authors MUST ensure that all points are included and state page numbers where each item can be found. Please see the details in Table.
Original Article
These articles must be of primary research, methodologically accurate, and relevant to the international and local cirtical applied linguistics issues. Each manuscript should clearly state an objective or hypothesis; the design of study and methodology (including study setting, research participants, inclusion and exclusion criteria, sampling and data source); data analysis and interpretations; the main results of the study, discussing the results; addressing study limitations and the conclusion. For all original articles, a structured abstract is required (please see instructions for preparing Abstracts). Authors should include the Ethical Issues/Statement in both the main manuscript under the method section (it should be blind) and the Title Page. If pursuing the ethical approval was not necessary for the study (eg, using secondary data), authors are still required to declare the reasons.
As part of JCALS Knowledge Translation imitative, all original articles should report Key Messages under a separate heading namely: Implications for Practitioners (please see instructions for preparing Key Messages). Please find further details in Table.
Note: Only original articles require Key Messages.
You can submit your manuscript using the Sample Word Template provided here.
Short Communication
Short communications are short articles (mini original articles) that present original and important preliminary findings that do not warrant publication as a full-length article but are still worthy of publication. The main text should be sub-divided into background, methods, results, and discussion, but should be written as concisely as possible. To maintain brevity, these articles do not need key messages, however, they should include the Ethical Issues/Statement in both the main manuscript under method section (it should be blind) and the Title Page. Please see the details in Table.
Commentary
Commentaries, which draw attention to or present criticism on selected JCALS publications, are the JCALS signature. We aim to strike a balance between rigour and relevance through inviting not only leading scholars in the field (academic/research community) but other key stakeholders in the critical applied linguistics studies to comment on our selected publications. We strive to spark applied linguistics constructive debates and discussions among key stakeholders and bring about a diversity of perspectives. Authors of the lead/source article and editors decide whom to invite to comment. Please see the details in Table.
Correspondence
These articles are invited only and are written in response to published commentaries by authors whose articles have been subject to commentaries. Please see the details in Table.
Letter to Editor
We welcome short letters with topics of interest to the JCALS readership. Please see the details in Table.
Article type |
Submission by |
Abstract type/word limit |
Main text word limit* |
Max No of Figure/Table |
Max No of Authors |
No of Ref |
Editorial |
Editorial Board Members |
Unstructured/100-150 |
1500-2000 |
2 |
3 |
Max 20 |
Viewpoint |
All authors |
No abstract |
1500-2000 |
2 |
3 |
Max 20 |
Review Articles |
All authors |
Structured/250-300 |
7000 |
6 |
No limit |
No limit |
Original Articles (Quantitative) |
All authors |
Structured/250-300 |
6000 |
5 |
No limit |
No limit |
Original Articles (Qualitative) |
All authors |
Structured/250-300 |
7000 |
6 |
No limit |
No limit |
Original Articles (Mixed method) |
All authors |
Structured/250-300 |
7000 |
6 |
No limit |
No limit |
Short Communication |
All authors |
Unstructured/200-250 |
4000 |
3 |
No limit |
No limit |
Commentary |
Invitation only |
Unstructured/100-150 |
1500-2000 |
2 |
No limit |
10-15 |
Correspondence |
Invitation only |
No abstract |
1000 |
1 |
No limit |
10-15 |
Letter to Editor |
All authors |
No abstract |
700 |
1 |
3 |
10-15 |
*excluding abstract, keywords, references, Tables, and captions.
A. If authors have already published a research document (eg, conference paper, working paper, discussion paper, technical report, and so on) prior to submission to the JCALS, the submitted manuscript must:
1. Have at least 30% new material/content.
2. Discuss the pre-published document and cite it in the manuscript.
3. Inform the editorial team of the pre-publication in any form at the time of submission.
4. Have a new title.
5. Have a new abstract.
6. Have a new theory or a new idea.
7. Include information in the JCALS Authorship Form and the Acknowledgements section that the manuscript is based on a pre-published document, and provide a link to the pre-published document.
B. If authors decide to publish a research document (eg, conference paper, working paper, discussion paper, technical report, and so on) while their work is under review at the JCALS, they need to address the following points:
1. Inform JCALS editorial team of their decision and describe clearly the purpose of pre-publication.
2. Provide the link of pre-publication server (where they want to publish the research document) to the JCALS office.
3. Provide the draft of research document to the JCALS office.
4. Make sure the content of research document is at least 30% different from the manuscript under review at the JCALS.
5. Cite the research document in the JCALS article at the later stages of the peer-review process if the manuscript is not rejected.
Please visit: https://publicationethics.org/
Language (usage and editing services)
All JCALS publications are in English. Authors whose first language is not English should make sure their manuscript is written in standard English before submission. Please write your text in good English (American or British usage is accepted, but not a mixture of these). No language and copy-editing services are provided by the JCALS. Hence, authors who feel their manuscript may require editing to eliminate possible grammatical or spelling errors are encouraged to obtain such services prior to submission.
Submission Declaration and Verification
By submitting an article, you ensure that your work has not been published previously, except in the form of a conference abstract or as part of a published lecture or thesis for an academic qualification (please see the Pre-publication Guidelines). This implies that the manuscript is not under consideration for publication elsewhere and its submission is approved by all authors and responsible authorities where the work was carried out. It is highly important that if an acceptance is offered, your work will not be published elsewhere in the same form, in English or in any other languages, including electronically without the written consent of Gonbad-Kavous University(GKU) as the Publisher. Authors should not submit the same manuscript, in the same or different languages, simultaneously to more than one journal.
Submission to this journal occurs online. Manuscripts submitted via email are not processed. Please read the following instructions carefully and follow them closely to ensure that the review and publication of your article is as efficient and quick as possible. Journal of Critical Applied Linguistics as an international journal only considers the materials submitted in electronic form via the journal's online submission system. The editorial office reserves the rights to return manuscripts that are not in accordance with the JCALS instructions for authors. Once you have prepared your manuscript according to the instructions below, you can then submit your work via our online submission platform.
During the online submission process, authors are asked to provide:
1) Manuscript Type: please see the details from here
2) Manuscript Title: authors need to insert the main and running title
3) Journal section:
4) Abstract: please see the details from here
5) Keywords: please see the details from here
6) Related Subjects: authors need to insert the related subject
7) Additional Comments: authors can mention any concern or issue that editorial office need to know in this section
8) Suggested Reviewers: authors can provide the names and email addresses of potential reviewers. Please note that the editors retain the right to decide whether or not the suggested reviewers are invited
9) Attach Files: authors MUST upload the following four mandatory files and forms:
a) Title Page: please find details from here
b) Main Manuscript: please find details from here
c) Authorship Form: please find details from here
d) Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form: please find details from here
Note: uploading the supplementary files (eg, excel sheets) are optional. Please find the details from here.
10) Cover Letter & Checklist: uploading cover letter is optional
11) Finish Submission: authors need to review the submission before clicking the submit button.
All manuscripts submitted to the JCALS are checked by the editorial office for conformance to the JCALS instructions. Non-conforming manuscripts are returned to authors.
Please find the JCALS Submission Tutorial from here.
The title page should include:
1. Manuscript Type: please find details from here
2. Manuscript Title: please use initial upper case
3. Authors’ Information: please add the authors’ information according to the Authorship Form (find it from here).
4. Disclaimers
5. Source(s) of Support: Authors are requested to clearly identify sources who provided financial support for the conduct of research and/or preparation of the manuscript. Authors have to briefly describe the role of the funder/sponsor in any part of the work including design and conduct of the study, data collection, data management, data analysis and interpretation, preparation, review and approval of the manuscript. The following rules should be followed:
- The sentence should begin with: ‘This work was supported by …’.
- The full official funding agency name should be given, i.e. ‘the Linguistics Society of Iran’ not ‘LSI'.
- Grant numbers should be complete and accurate and provided in brackets as follows: ‘[grant number ABX CDXXXXXX]’
- Multiple grant numbers should be separated by a comma as follows: ‘[grant numbers ABX CDXXXXXX, EFX GHXXXXXX]’
- Agencies should be separated by a semi-colon (plus ‘and’ before the last funding agency)
6. Word Count: Please see the details in Table.
7. Disclosure of Relationships and Activities: This form must be completed by the corresponding author only. Please report the authors' relationships/activities/interests based on the instruction provided on form and upload it once you submit the manuscript.
8. Ethical Issues: Please identify the ethics committee/board that has approved the research. If the manuscript is Original Article or Short Communication this field should be filled.
9. Acknowledgements
10. Authors’ Contributions
You can submit your title page using the Sample Word Template provided here.
Important Note: While submitting your manuscript please bear in mind to upload the Authorship From. This form must be completed by the corresponding author and signed digitally by all authors. Please find the instructions below:
All contributing authors should qualify for authorship. The order of authorship should be a joint decision of the co-authors. Sufficient participation in the work is of utmost importance. Authorship credit should be based on substantial contribution to conception and design, execution, or analysis and interpretation of data. All authors should be involved in drafting the manuscript or revising it critically for important intellectual content, must have read and approved the final version of the manuscript and approve of its submission to the JCALS. Any change in authorship following initial submission would have to be agreed by all authors as would any change in the order of authors.
Important Note: The Authorship Form (please find it from here) should be signed digitally by ALL AUTHORS.
Changes to authorship
This statement concerns the addition, deletion, or rearrangement of author names in the authorship of submitted manuscripts as described below:
During the peer-review process if any change/s in the authorship is requited, the corresponding author should send a request to add or remove an author, or to rearrange the author names of the submitted manuscript. The corresponding author must include: (a) the reason the name should be added or removed, or the author names rearranged and (b) a signed JCALS Change to Authorship Form by all authors that they agree with the addition, removal or rearrangement. Requests that are not sent by the corresponding author will be forwarded by the Journal Managing Editor to the corresponding author, who must follow the procedure as described above. No authorship change is allowed after acceptance and publication of the manuscript.
Multiple First and Corresponding Authors
Authors are allowed to designate maximum two first authors or two corresponding authors. In such cases, the lead corresponding author has to justify the reason. Please find more details below:
Co-first Author
If two first authors have equal contribution, authors can be indicated the joint first authors by using ¶ symbol with the caption ‘Both authors contributed equally to this paper’ immediately under the address list in the Title Page. More than two first authors are not allowed. Authors have to decide on the order of the two first authors (e.g. alphabetically).
Please see the sample Title Page from here.
Co-Corresponding Author
If two co-authors have equal contribution, authors can be indicated the co-corresponding authors by using * symbol with the caption ‘Both authors contributed equally to this paper’ immediately under the address list in the Title Page and provide the email and full address of both. More than two corresponding authors are not allowed. Only one of the corresponding authors, who is designated at the time of submission as the lead corresponding author, should accept the contact responsibility. The Disclosure Form should be completed by the lead corresponding author.
Please see the sample Title Page from here.
File Format
Acceptable manuscripts' file formats include Microsoft Word and WordPerfect. Please do not submit your manuscripts in PDF format.
Text Style
Use A4 size. Text should be left-justified. Use 12-point font size. Use preferably Times and New Romans font. Use 1.5 line spacing. Use line and page number. Use Initial Upper Case for Title, Headings and Subheadings, Keywords. Make the titles, headings and subheadings bold or use different colour. Use footnote at the end of manuscript before references (no footnote for each page). Make the files anonymous; please find the guide for Office below:
Open your word file-- Clink on “File” button—“Check for Issues” section-- Select “Inspect Document”-- Click on “Inspect” button-- Click “Remove All” next to Document Properties and Personal Information-- Finally save the changes.
Main Manuscript Sections
The manuscript should follow through these sections: Abstract, Key Messages (only for Original Articles), Keywords, Background, Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusion, and References. However, it may be appropriate to combine the discussion and conclusion sections in some articles. Tables and Figures should be inserted within the text as close as possible to where they are referenced. Authors should not upload them as separate files. Please add page numbers and line numbers for your manuscript.
Include a structured abstract of no more than 300 words for original articles and reviews. The abstract should state briefly and clearly the purpose and setting of the research, the principal findings and major conclusions, and the article's contribution to knowledge. Abstracts should be prepared in JCALS style including background, methods, results, and conclusion. For other manuscript types (see Table), include an unstructured abstract of no more than 250 words that summarizes the objectives and background, main points and conclusions of the article. Abstracts are not required for correspondence and letters to editor.
- Key Messages (only for Original Articles)
In line with the knowledge translation activities of the JCALS, authors of original articles MUST include the following two sections after abstract:
1. Implications for practitioners
Authors need to add up to 6 keywords separately into the online system during submission, and should accurately reflect the content of the article. Abbreviations/acronyms could be used with their expansions. The keywords will be used for indexing purposes.
Please prepare the keywords according to the following instructions:
You can submit your Original Article using the Sample Word Template provided here.
- Formulas
- Tables
- Figures/illustrations
NOTE: JCALS follows APA style (Publication Manual of American Psychology Association, the 6th edition, 2010).
In-text Citations
Citations in the text should follow the referencing style used by the American Psychological Association. You are referred to the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, Sixth Edition. References should be arranged first alphabetically and then further sorted chronologically if necessary. More than one reference from the same author(s) in the same year must be identified by the letters 'a', 'b', 'c', etc., placed after the year of publication.
References
Examples
Reference to a journal publication:
Van der Geer, J., Hanraads, J. A. J., & Lupton, R. A. (2010). The art of writing a scientific article. Journal of Scientific Communications, 63 (1), 51–59.
Reference to a book:
Strunk, W., Jr., & White, E. B. (2000). The elements of style. (4th ed.). New York: Longman.
Reference to a chapter in an edited book:
Mettam, G. R., & Adams, L. B. (2009). How to prepare an electronic version of your article. In B. S. Jones, & R. Z. Smith (Eds.), Introduction to the Electronic Age (pp. 281–304). New York: E-Publishing Inc.
Reference to a website:
System. An International Journal of Educational Technology and Applied Linguistics. Retrieved from www.elsevier.com Accessed 11 Oct. 2017.
- Abbreviations and Symbols
1. Use only standard abbreviations such as ELT, WE, ESL, TESOL.
2. Do not use non-standard abbreviations unless they appear at least 3 times in the text.
3. Avoid abbreviations in the title of the manuscript.
4. The spelled-out abbreviation followed by the abbreviation in parenthesis should be used upon first appearance in the text unless the abbreviation is a standard unit of measurement.
5. Keep abbreviations to a minimum.
Supplementary File Guideline
Authors should provide the Supplementary Information (SI) as supplementary files once they submit the main manuscript. Authors are not allowed to change the content of supplementary files following acceptance. The supplementary files will be published exactly as they are received from the authors without any editing or reformatting. JCALS does not take responsibility for any information provided in the supplementary files. Please prepare the supplementary files based on the following instructions:
- Content
Each supplementary file should include:
1. Article title
2. Journal name
3. Authors information including author names, affiliation, and email address of the corresponding author.
4. Main content such as tables, figures, description method.
5. We suggest not adding references to the supplementary files since we do not activate the links and they are not counted as citation. However, if you need to insert the references within the supplementary file, they should be cited in order following the references in the main text as per JCALS style. Please find the JCALS style for references from here.
6. Please insert page number for all supplementary files.
- Numbering
1. Please use separate numbering system for tables and figures eg, Table S1, Table S2.
2. Please cite all supplementary files’ material in the main manuscript based on the numbering order.
- Captions
Please provide a concise, descriptive caption for each supplementary material eg, Tables and Figures.
- Format
1. Please choose an appropriate title (precise and concise) for each supplementary file eg, Supplementary File 1. Search Strategy.
2. We accept .pdf, .doc, .xls and .ppt formats.
- Size
Please decrease the files’ size as small as possible so that they can be downloaded easily.
Please see the sample Supplementary File from here.
How to Submit the Revision
The corresponding author should submit the revisions via the JCALS portal according to the following instruction:
Please go to your profile (Author section)--"Submissions Needing Revision" section--Click on your manuscript ID--Upload the correct version and delete any old versions (you can change all information eg, title, abstract, etc.)--and push the "submit" button.
Please Do NOT start a New Submission and Do NOT send the revisions via email.
Proofs
Corresponding author will be sent page proofs (as PDF files) by email. These should be checked immediately and corrections, as well as answers to any queries, returned to the journal as an annotated PDF via email within 3-5 working days (further details are supplied with the proof). It is the author's responsibility to check proofs thoroughly. You will need to download Adobe Reader version 11 available free from Adobe or Foxit Reader.
We will do everything possible to get your article published quickly and accurately. Therefore, it is important to ensure that all of your corrections are sent back to us in one communication. Please note that rephrasing sentences, additions, or omissions are not allowed at the proof stage.
Important Note: Authors should approve the PDF proof and provide us with the corrections in due time. Not meeting the deadline and a long delay to respond could lead to withdraw of the manuscript at this stage. Please note that NO further edits/corrections are accepted after publication. Authors MUST check the PDF proof very carefully.
Video Summary Guideline (not part of submission process)
As another JCALS knowledge translation activity, we invite authors of selected publications to prepare a video summary of their articles to be published on the JCALS YouTube Channel.
Note: Video summary is not part of submission process. Only after publication, editors select some articles and invite authors for a video summary, which is optional and authors can decline the invitation.
Our video summaries present the summary of our recently published articles, filmed by articles’ authors. By video summaries we aim to help both academics and non-academics to scan the literature promptly and understand quickly the key themes of an article without going through pages of an article. We hope that our video summaries will help our articles to be more visible, reachable, and discoverable. We also hope to provide a personalized forum for our authors to simply convey their article messages to the JCALS global readership.
To prepare video please kindly consider the following points:
How to share the video with JCALS :
You can watch our published videos by visiting JCALS YouTube Channel and also by clicking here.
Author Enquiries
For inquiries relating to the submission of articles please contact the editorial office at:
E-mail: jcalsgonbad.ac.ir
Phone: +98-17-33263664
Address: Department of Foreign Languages Gonbad Kavous University, Basirat Boulevard, Shahid Fallahi Street, Gonbad-e Kavus City, Golestan Province, Iran