Information For Authors

Interested in submitting to this journal? We recommend that you review the About the Journal page for the journal's section policies, as well as the Author Guidelines. Authors need to register with the journal prior to submitting or, if already registered, can simply log in and begin the five-step process.

Peer-Review Process and Policy

International Journal of Modern Languages and Applied Linguistics (IJMAL)

The International Journal of Modern Languages and Applied Linguistics (IJMAL) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of peer review, academic integrity, and publication ethics. Our peer-review process adheres to the COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) Ethical Guidelines for Peer Reviewers to ensure transparency, fairness, and scholarly excellence.

1. Type of Peer Review

IJMAL employs a double-blind peer-review process, in which both the reviewers and authors remain anonymous throughout the review process. Authors are required to submit a separate title page with complete author details, ensuring anonymity within the main manuscript file.

2. Reviewer Selection

Reviewers are selected based on their subject-matter expertise and research background relevant to the manuscript. The Editorial Board maintains an active and regularly updated reviewer database. While authors may suggest potential reviewers, the final selection remains at the discretion of the editors.

Each manuscript is reviewed by at least two independent reviewers, and the final decision rests with the Editor-in-Chief or the designated Section Editor.

3. Reviewer Guidelines and Criteria

Reviewers are asked to provide constructive, fair, and unbiased evaluations based on the following criteria:

  • Originality and significance of the research topic.

  • Clarity and appropriateness of the research objectives.

  • Rigor of the theoretical or conceptual framework.

  • Appropriateness and accuracy of the research methodology.

  • Relevance and sufficiency of literature review.

  • Coherence of data analysis and validity of results.

  • Contribution to the field of language, linguistics, or applied linguistics.

  • Compliance with ethical standards (e.g., plagiarism, consent, citation).

  • Quality of academic writing and overall structure.

While IJMAL does not require reviewers to correct language errors, suggestions for improving clarity, coherence, and scholarly tone are appreciated. Final proofreading will be handled by the editorial team prior to publication.

4. Peer Review Workflow

Once a manuscript is submitted:

  1. The Editorial Board conducts an initial screening for relevance, scope, and basic quality.

  2. Suitable submissions are assigned to two or more peer reviewers.

  3. Reviewers submit their evaluation through the online system or via email, using the provided review form or free-text comments.

  4. Based on the reviews, the editor will issue one of the following decisions:

    • Accept Submission

    • Revisions Required (Minor)

    • Resubmit for Review (Major Revisions)

    • Resubmit Elsewhere

    • Decline Submission

5. Review Timeline

The review process typically takes 6 to 12 weeks, depending on the availability and response time of reviewers. Authors will be notified of delays when necessary.

6. Final Decision

After all reviews and revisions are complete, the final decision is made by the Editor-in-Chief. The corresponding author will be informed of the decision along with reviewer comments and, where applicable, revision instructions.

7. Ethical Responsibilities

All reviewers are expected to uphold confidentiality, avoid conflicts of interest, provide objective feedback, and follow ethical standards outlined in the COPE Guidelines. IJMAL is committed to transparency, professionalism, and accountability in scholarly publishing.