Author Guidelines

Journal of Language and Research (JOLARS) welcomes original research articles, review articles, conceptual papers, and other scholarly works related to language studies, linguistics, applied linguistics, communication, tourism, hospitality, culture, tourism development, and related social sciences and humanities.

Authors are required to carefully follow the guidelines below before submitting a manuscript.

1. Manuscript Scope

Submitted manuscripts must be relevant to the focus and scope of the Journal of Language and Research (JOLARS). Manuscripts should provide a clear theoretical, methodological, empirical, conceptual, cultural, or practical contribution to language and tourism studies or related interdisciplinary fields.

The journal particularly welcomes research addressing the intersection of language, communication, culture, tourism, hospitality, local communities, tourism development, and digital transformation.

Manuscripts that fall outside the journal's scope may be rejected by the editorial team without proceeding to peer review.

2. Originality and Publication Ethics

Manuscripts submitted to Journal of Language and Research (JOLARS) must be original and must not have been previously published or simultaneously submitted to another journal.

Authors must ensure that:

  • The manuscript is an original work.
  • The manuscript is not under consideration by another journal.
  • All sources are properly cited and referenced.
  • All quotations, ideas, data, tables, figures, and other materials obtained from other sources are appropriately acknowledged.
  • Any potential conflict of interest is disclosed.
  • All authors who have made significant contributions to the research are properly included in the author list.
  • The manuscript complies with applicable research and publication ethics.
  • The journal may conduct plagiarism and similarity screening on submitted manuscripts.

3. Types of Manuscripts

IJLTS accepts the following types of manuscripts:

  • Original Research Articles – reports of original empirical, qualitative, quantitative, mixed-methods, or theoretical research.
  • Review Articles – comprehensive reviews, systematic reviews, bibliometric reviews, or critical analyses of relevant literature.
  • Conceptual Articles – theoretical or conceptual discussions that contribute to the development of knowledge in language, tourism, hospitality, culture, or related interdisciplinary fields.

4. Manuscript Language

Manuscripts should be written in clear and academically appropriate English.

Authors are responsible for ensuring proper grammar, spelling, terminology, academic style, coherence, and overall language quality.

Authors whose first language is not English are encouraged to have their manuscripts professionally proofread before submission.

5. Manuscript Structure

An original research article should generally contain the following sections:

  • Title
  • Author Names and Affiliations
  • Abstract
  • Keywords
  • Introduction
  • Literature Review / Theoretical Framework
  • Research Method
  • Results
  • Discussion
  • Conclusion
  • Acknowledgments (if applicable)
  • Conflict of Interest Statement
  • Funding Statement (if applicable)
  • References

The structure may be adjusted according to the type, methodology, and nature of the manuscript.

6. Title

The title should be concise, informative, specific, and accurately reflect the content of the manuscript.

Authors should avoid:

  • Unnecessary abbreviations;
  • Excessively long titles;
  • Overly general statements;
  • Unclear or ambiguous terminology.

The title should clearly indicate the principal topic, population, context, or variables of the study where appropriate.

7. Author Information

The manuscript should include:

  • Full name of each author;
  • Institutional affiliation;
  • Department, faculty, or study program, where applicable;
  • City and country;
  • Corresponding author's email address.

The corresponding author is responsible for communication with the editorial office throughout the submission, review, revision, and publication processes.

All authors should have made substantial contributions to the research and should approve the final version of the manuscript.

8. Abstract

The abstract should provide a concise and informative summary of the manuscript and should generally include:

  • Background or research problem;
  • Research objective;
  • Research methodology;
  • Main findings;
  • Conclusion and/or implications.

The abstract should be written as a single paragraph and should enable readers to understand the research problem, approach, principal findings, and contribution of the study without referring to the main text.

9. Keywords

Authors should provide 3–6 keywords that accurately represent the main concepts and subjects of the manuscript.

Keywords should be specific, relevant, and preferably reflect the principal research themes, concepts, populations, or contexts discussed in the article.

10. Introduction

The introduction should establish the background and context of the research and clearly explain the research problem.

The introduction should generally:

  • Explain the significance and context of the study;
  • Identify relevant issues or phenomena;
  • Present the research gap;
  • Discuss relevant previous research;
  • Explain the rationale for conducting the study;
  • Clearly state the research objectives, questions, or hypotheses, where applicable.

Authors are encouraged to use relevant and up-to-date scholarly references to establish the academic context of the research.

11. Literature Review and Theoretical Framework

The literature review should critically discuss relevant theories, concepts, previous studies, and scholarly debates related to the research topic.

Depending on the topic, the theoretical framework may draw from areas such as:

  • Linguistics and applied linguistics;
  • Language education;
  • Communication studies;
  • Tourism studies;
  • Hospitality management;
  • Cultural studies;
  • Anthropology;
  • Sociology;
  • Tourism marketing;
  • Destination management;
  • Intercultural communication;
  • Digital tourism.

Authors should demonstrate how the present study relates to and contributes to existing knowledge and should clearly identify the research gap addressed by the study.

12. Research Method

The methodology section should provide sufficient information to enable readers to understand the research process and, where appropriate, replicate or evaluate the study.

Depending on the research design, this section may include:

  • Research approach and design;
  • Research location and period;
  • Research participants, population, and sample;
  • Data sources;
  • Data collection techniques;
  • Research instruments;
  • Language or discourse analysis procedures, where applicable;
  • Data analysis techniques;
  • Validity, reliability, or trustworthiness procedures;
  • Ethical considerations.

For tourism research, authors should clearly describe the research setting, destination, tourism stakeholders, visitors, communities, or tourism organizations involved in the study when relevant.

13. Results

The results section should present the findings clearly, systematically, and objectively.

Authors may use tables, figures, charts, photographs, maps, or other relevant visual materials when these improve the presentation and understanding of the findings.

The results should:

  • Directly address the research questions or objectives;
  • Present evidence systematically;
  • Avoid unnecessary repetition;
  • Distinguish clearly between research findings and interpretation.

For qualitative research, relevant themes, categories, narratives, excerpts, or other forms of qualitative evidence may be presented where appropriate.

14. Discussion

The discussion should interpret the findings in relation to the research questions, theoretical framework, previous studies, and broader academic context.

Authors should explain:

  • The meaning and significance of the findings;
  • Similarities or differences with previous research;
  • Theoretical contributions;
  • Practical implications;
  • Implications for language, tourism, hospitality, culture, communities, or relevant stakeholders;
  • Limitations of the study, where appropriate.

The discussion should go beyond simply repeating the results and should demonstrate the contribution of the research to existing knowledge.

15. Conclusion

The conclusion should directly address the research objectives, questions, or hypotheses and summarize the principal findings and contributions of the study.

Authors may also include:

  • Theoretical implications;
  • Practical implications;
  • Recommendations for tourism practitioners, educators, policymakers, communities, or other stakeholders;
  • Suggestions for future research.

The conclusion should not introduce substantial new findings that have not been discussed in the main body of the manuscript.

16. Tables, Figures, Maps, and Photographs

Tables, figures, maps, photographs, and other visual materials must be relevant to the manuscript and should be clearly numbered and titled.

Authors should:

  • Refer to every table and figure in the manuscript text;
  • Use clear and informative titles and captions;
  • Provide sources for data or materials obtained from other works;
  • Ensure that visual materials are of appropriate quality;
  • Ensure that maps and photographs accurately represent the research context;
  • Obtain permission for copyrighted materials where necessary.

Visual materials should be used selectively and should contribute to the clarity of the research presentation.

17. References and Citations

Authors must ensure that every source cited in the manuscript appears in the reference list and that every reference listed is cited in the manuscript.

Authors are encouraged to use:

  • Recent and relevant scholarly sources;
  • Peer-reviewed journal articles;
  • Academic books and authoritative publications;
  • Appropriate primary sources;
  • Current literature relevant to language and tourism studies.

Authors should maintain consistency in citation and reference formatting throughout the manuscript.

The journal recommends the use of reference management software such as Mendeley, Zotero, or EndNote.

18. Ethical Considerations

Research involving human participants, tourists, local communities, employees, language learners, interviews, surveys, personal data, photographs, recordings, or other sensitive information should comply with applicable ethical standards and regulations.

Where applicable, authors should provide information regarding:

  • Ethical approval;
  • Informed consent;
  • Confidentiality;
  • Anonymity;
  • Protection of research participants;
  • Responsible handling of personal or sensitive data.

Particular care should be taken when conducting research involving indigenous communities, local communities, cultural heritage, vulnerable groups, or culturally sensitive information.

19. Conflict of Interest

Authors must disclose any financial, professional, institutional, personal, or other relationships that could influence the research or its interpretation.

If no conflict of interest exists, authors should state:

"The authors declare no conflict of interest."

20. Funding

Authors should disclose all sources of financial support received for conducting the research, preparing the manuscript, or publishing the article.

If the research received no external funding, authors may state:

"This research received no external funding."

21. Acknowledgments

Authors may acknowledge individuals, institutions, research assistants, tourism organizations, local communities, funding agencies, or other parties that contributed to the research but do not meet the criteria for authorship.

Authors should obtain permission from individuals or organizations before including their names in the acknowledgment section when appropriate.

22. Plagiarism and Similarity Screening

All submitted manuscripts may be subject to plagiarism and similarity screening.

Manuscripts containing substantial plagiarism, self-plagiarism, duplicate publication, inappropriate text reuse, fabricated sources, or other forms of academic misconduct may be rejected or returned to the authors for clarification or revision.

Authors are responsible for ensuring that their manuscripts are original and that all sources, quotations, ideas, data, and materials are appropriately acknowledged.

23. Peer Review

Journal of Language and Research (JOLARS) applies a peer-review process to evaluate the academic quality, originality, relevance, methodological rigor, clarity, and contribution of submitted manuscripts.

The editorial team conducts an initial assessment before a manuscript is sent to reviewers.

Manuscripts may be rejected at the editorial stage if they:

  • Fall outside the journal's scope;
  • Fail to meet basic academic standards;
  • Have significant methodological weaknesses;
  • Contain substantial originality or ethical concerns;
  • Do not provide a sufficient scholarly contribution.

Manuscripts that pass the initial assessment will be evaluated by qualified reviewers according to the journal's peer-review procedures.