Last Updated: October 18, 2025
Applied Linguistics Inquiry is dedicated to publishing high-quality, original research that makes a significant contribution to the field. To ensure a smooth and efficient review process, we ask that all authors read and adhere to the following guidelines. Submissions that do not conform to these standards may be returned before peer review.
1.1. Aims & Scope Before submitting, please ensure your manuscript aligns with the journal's Aims & Scope. We welcome empirical and conceptual papers, systematic reviews, and book reviews that address current and emergent issues in applied linguistics. Manuscripts that fall outside our stated scope will not be considered for review.
1.2. Manuscript Types We accept the following types of manuscripts:
Original Research Articles: Reports of original empirical research. The word count should be between 4,000 and 8,000 words, inclusive of abstract, references, tables, and figures.
Review Articles: Comprehensive, systematic analyses of existing literature that provide new perspectives on a topic. The word count should not exceed 8,000 words.
Conceptual Papers: Papers that advance theoretical frameworks or scholarly debate. The word count should not exceed 6,000 words.
Book Reviews: Critical evaluations of recently published scholarly books relevant to the field. The word count should not exceed 1,500 words.
1.3. Ethical Responsibilities of Authors Applied Linguistics Inquiry is committed to upholding the highest standards of publication ethics and adheres to the core practices of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).
Authorship: Authorship should be limited to those who have made a significant intellectual contribution to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the reported study. All listed authors must have approved the final version of the manuscript and agree to its submission. The journal follows the authorship criteria established by the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE).
Originality and Prior Publication: The submitted manuscript must be the original work of the authors. It must not have been published previously in any language, nor can it be under consideration for publication elsewhere. Submitting the same manuscript to more than one journal concurrently constitutes unethical publishing behavior and is unacceptable.
Plagiarism and Data Integrity: All submitted manuscripts are screened for plagiarism using iThenticate software. The journal has a zero-tolerance policy for plagiarism, data fabrication, and data falsification.
Use of AI in Manuscript Preparation: Authors may use AI-based tools to improve the language and readability of their work. However, authors are fully responsible for the accuracy, integrity, and originality of all content. The use of AI must be disclosed in the cover letter, and AI tools cannot be listed as an author.
2.1. General Formatting
File Format: Manuscripts must be submitted as Microsoft Word (.doc or.docx) files.
Page Layout: Use A4 paper size with 2.5 cm (1-inch) margins on all sides.
Font: Times New Roman, 12-point.
Spacing: The entire manuscript, including the abstract, main text, references, and tables, should be double-spaced.
Paragraphs: The first line of each paragraph should be indented by 0.5 inches (1.27 cm). Do not leave an extra line between paragraphs.
2.2. Style and Language
Language: All manuscripts must be written in clear, academic English.
Style Guide: The journal follows the 7th edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA) for all aspects of formatting, including in-text citations, the reference list, headings, and the presentation of tables and figures.
2.3. Manuscript Structure Your submission must be organized into two separate files to ensure a double-blind peer review process.
File 1: Title Page This file should contain all author-identifying information and include the following, in order:
Manuscript Title: A concise and informative title.
Author Names and Affiliations: The full names of all authors, their institutional affiliations, and their email addresses.
Corresponding Author: Clearly identify the corresponding author and provide their full mailing address and telephone number.
Acknowledgments: Acknowledge any funding sources (with grant numbers) or individuals who provided assistance but do not meet authorship criteria.
Declaration of Conflicting Interests: A statement declaring any potential conflicts of interest. If there are none, please state: "The author(s) declare no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.".
File 2: Anonymized Manuscript This file must be completely free of any author-identifying information. Do not include author names, affiliations, or acknowledgments in this file. Replace any self-citations with "" in the text and "" in the reference list. The manuscript should be structured as follows:
Title: The full title of the manuscript.
Abstract and Keywords: An abstract of 150-250 words. The abstract must be structured to include the study's objectives, methods, results, and conclusions/implications. Following the abstract, provide 4-6 keywords for indexing purposes.
Main Body (4,000-8,000 words): The main text should be organized into logical sections. A typical structure for an empirical article includes:
Introduction
Literature Review
Methods (including subsections for Participants, Materials/Instruments, and Procedure)
Results
Discussion
Conclusion
References: The reference list should begin on a new page. All entries must be formatted in APA 7th edition style, alphabetized by the last name of the first author, and use a hanging indent. Ensure that every source cited in the text appears in the reference list, and vice versa. Include the Digital Object Identifier (DOI) for all sources where available.
Appendices (if applicable): Any supplementary materials, such as survey instruments or interview protocols, should be placed in an appendix at the end of the manuscript.
3.1. How to Submit All manuscripts must be submitted through our online portal at. We do not accept submissions via email. The system will guide you through the process of uploading your files.
3.2. Submission Checklist Before submitting, please ensure you have completed the following:
[ ] The manuscript has been prepared in accordance with these Author Guidelines.
[ ] The submission includes a separate Title Page (File 1) and an Anonymized Manuscript (File 2).
[ ] The manuscript has been spell-checked and grammar-checked.
[ ] All necessary permissions for the use of copyrighted material have been obtained.
[ ] All authors have read and approved the final version of the manuscript.
4.1. Peer Review Process The journal employs a rigorous double-blind peer review process. After an initial screening by the Editor-in-Chief to assess suitability, the anonymized manuscript is sent to at least two independent, expert reviewers. The review process typically takes 8-12 weeks, and the final editorial decision is made by the Editor-in-Chief based on the reviewers' feedback.
4.2. Editorial Decisions The possible decisions are:
Accept: The manuscript is accepted for publication with no or minor revisions.
Minor Revisions: The manuscript is accepted pending minor revisions.
Major Revisions: The manuscript may be accepted after substantial revisions and may be sent for a second round of review.
Reject: The manuscript is not suitable for publication in the journal.
5.1. Article Processing Charges (APCs) Applied Linguistics Inquiry is a diamond open access journal. There are no submission fees or article processing charges (APCs) for authors to publish their work.
5.2. Copyright and Licensing To ensure the widest possible dissemination of research, Applied Linguistics Inquiry has adopted the following policy:
Copyright: Authors retain the full copyright of their work.
License: All articles are published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license. This license allows others to share and adapt the work for any purpose, provided appropriate credit is given to the original authors and publication source.
5.3. Archiving The journal ensures the long-term preservation of its content by archiving with. This policy guarantees that the journal's content will remain accessible to the scholarly community in perpetuity.
5.4. Proofs The corresponding author will receive galley proofs in PDF format for final review before publication. Authors are responsible for a final check of the proofs for any typographical errors. No substantial changes to the content are permitted at this stage. Proofs should be returned to the editorial office within 48 hours of receipt.