International Journal of Language Testing (IJLT) occasionally publishes special issues dedicated to specific themes or advancements in the field of language testing. These issues aim to provide a focused platform for exploring innovative methods, tools, and applications relevant to language testing and assessment.
Types of Submissions
- Full-Length Articles: Comprehensive studies or theoretical contributions relevant to the theme of the special issue.
- Research Notes: Shorter papers (typically up to 3000 words, including abstract, references, and tables) focusing on method demonstrations or preliminary findings.
Submission Guidelines
- Submissions must be original, unpublished work and align with the theme of the special issue.
- Manuscripts should adhere to the submission guidelines provided on Guid for Authors.
- Authors must submit their manuscripts with a cover letter to the email address specified for the special issue or via the journal’s website.
Review Process
- Initial Screening: The guest editors and/or editorial board will review submissions for relevance to the theme and adherence to submission guidelines.
- Peer Review: Manuscripts that pass the initial screening will undergo a double-blind peer review process, typically involving at least two reviewers.
- Decision Communication: Based on reviewer feedback, the editorial team will notify authors of their manuscript status, which may include:
- Accept as it is
- Accept with minor revisions
- Accept with major revisions
- Revise and resubmit as a new paper
- Reject
- Final Decision: After revisions are submitted, the editorial board, in consultation with the guest editors, will make the final decision on acceptance or rejection.
Timeline
Special issues follow a defined timeline which include:
- Call for Papers: Announcement of the special issue and theme.
- Submission Period: A fixed window for authors to submit their manuscripts.
- Review Period: Peer review and revisions, managed to ensure timely decisions.
- Publication Date: Accepted papers are published together as part of the special issue.
Benefits of Publishing an Article in a Special Issue
- Increased Visibility: Special issues often focus on trending or emerging topics, which can attract more attention and readership. Besides, Special issues are often promoted through the publisher's social media channels, increasing visibility.
- Faster Publication Times: Articles in special issues are often published more quickly than those in regular issues.
- Positive Citation Impact: Articles in special issues tend to be cited more frequently.
- Collaboration Opportunities: Publishing in a special issue can lead to collaborations with other researchers in your field.
Additional Information
- Accepted papers will be queued for placement in the special issue.
- Authors are encouraged to contact the guest editors or the journal’s managing editor for inquiries related to the special issue.
- IJLT ensures that the review process is efficient and transparent, with decisions typically communicated within a few months of submission.
