Submission Instructions

We appreciate your interest in submitting your manuscript to the Journal of Language, Literature & Social Affairs (JLLSA), a peer-reviewed journal dedicated to publishing high-quality research in its relevant disciplines. Kindly review the submission and formatting guidelines outlined below prior to submission.

General Submission Guidelines

1. Manuscripts submitted to JLLSA must be original and unpublished. They should not be under review by another journal. If the work has been submitted elsewhere, a clear explanation must be provided in the “Comments to the Editor.”
2. All submissions must be made electronically through the journal's online portal: https://scholarclub.org/index.php/jllsa/login
3. Manuscripts should be prepared in Microsoft Word (version 2016 or later) and formatted according to the journal’s publication guidelines.
4. Where applicable, provide active URLs for all references cited.
5. Submissions must be in soft copy (electronic format). All text, tables, and figures should be included in a single MS Word document.
6. Authors must register on the journal’s website before submitting their manuscript.

Manuscript Formatting Guidelines

1. Title and Author Information

• Title: Should be in uppercase, bold, and centered using Times New Roman, 16 pt font.
• Author Details: Centered beneath the title in Times New Roman, 12 pt font. Include:
• Full name, Designation, Department Name, Institution Name, City, State and Country
• Email address

1. Corresponding Author

Clearly identify the corresponding author responsible for communication during the review and publication process. Provide a complete postal address, email, and telephone number (with country and area code).

1. Abstract

All manuscripts must include an abstract of no more than 200 words. The abstract should be italicized, justified, and written in Times New Roman, 12 pt font. It should briefly summarize the research background, objectives, methodology, theoretical framework, analysis, key findings, conclusion, and recommendations.

1. Keywords

Provide 3–10 keywords listed in alphabetical order, separated by commas, and ending with a period/ full stop.

1. Word Count

Manuscripts should range between 3,500 to 6,000 words. Submissions exceeding the word limit will be returned for revision. The document should be single-sided (preferably A4 size), typed in 1.5 line spacing, with appropriate margins. Clarity and conciseness are essential.

1. Page Setup

• Page dimensions:27" width × 11.69" height (A4 Size)
• Margins: 1 inch on all sides
• Header and footer spacing:5 inches from the page edge

1. Sectioning the Manuscript

Articles should be clearly divided into numbered sections and subsections, e.g., 1., 1.1, 1.1.1. Abstract and References are not numbered.

1. Tables and Figures

All tables and figures should be embedded within the main text.

• Tables: Titles in Times New Roman, bold, 12 pt font, above the table, center aligned.
• Figures/Images: Captions in the same font and style, placed below the image and centered.

1. Equations/Formulas

Ensure that any mathematical content or formulas match the manuscript’s standard font size.

1. References

All references must follow the APA Style (Latest Edition) and be listed alphabetically at the end of the paper.

1. In-Text Citations

All references cited in the text must appear in the reference list and vice versa. Avoid citing in the abstract. Unpublished results and personal communications should be referenced within the text only.

1. Web References

Where applicable, include complete URLs and any additional available information (such as author, publication date, or source) for web-based citations. These may be listed within the general reference list or separately if preferred.

1. Referencing Style

Authors are required to follow the Latest Edition referencing format. For detailed guidance, refer to the official APA Manual or visit http://www.apastyle.org/manual/index.aspx.

1. Author Biography

Each author must submit a short biography (50–100 words) along with a recent photograph and the completed Copyright Agreement Form.

1. Acknowledgment of Funding or Sponsorship

If the research was supported or funded by an organization, agency, or NGO, authors must disclose this clearly in the manuscript.

 

Publication Schedule

As per the recommendation of the Scholar Club Board of Governors, JLLSA follows a quarterly publication cycle, issuing four editions per year according to the schedule below:

Sr. No.	Volume	Issue Title	Publication Month
1	I	Winter	March
2	II	Spring	June
3	III	Summer	September
4	IV	Fall	December

Key Deadlines and Important Notes:

1. Submission Deadline: 30th of the first month of the corresponding issue.
2. Peer Review Completion: By the 10th of the third month of the issue cycle.
3. Final Decision Notification: Issued by the 20th of the publication month.
4. Publication Date: 30th or 31st of the publication month (depends on the calendar).
5. Early Submissions: Manuscripts submitted ahead of the deadline may be prioritized for early review and response.
6. Rolling Submissions: Submissions are accepted year-round. Manuscripts not processed in time for a given issue will automatically be considered for the next available issue.
7. Online First Policy: Accepted papers may be published online before their official release date.

 

Charges Policy

Publication Fee (Article Processing Charges - APC)

The Journal of Language, Literature & Social Affairs (JLLSA) does not charge any submission fee, promoting an open and inclusive submission process for researchers worldwide. However, a one-time Article Processing Charge (APC) is applicable upon acceptance of a manuscript. This fee supports the journal’s operations, including:

• Administration and coordination of peer review
• Professional formatting and production (PDF and other formats)
• Website maintenance and digital archiving
• Memberships with international platforms (e.g., CrossRef. etc)
• Broad dissemination of published work

APC Based on Corresponding Author's Affiliation

Affiliation	APC (in US$)
Top 100 Universities in QS World University Rankings	No APC
Top 500 Universities in QS World University Rankings	$50
High-Income Countries	$150
Middle-Income Countries (Lower and Upper)*	$100
Low-Income Countries	$50

Refer to the World Bank List of Economies to identify your country’s classification.

• Note for Pakistani Authors: As Pakistan is classified as a lower-income country, the APC for authors affiliated with Pakistani institutions is PKR 12,000.
• Waiver Policy: APC may be waived for authors who are Premium Members of Scholar Club. Please contact the editorial office for more details.

Important Notice on Withdrawal Policy

While JLLSA no longer maintains a blacklist for authors who withdraw manuscripts before completion of the peer review process, submitting work without serious intent to publish, particularly to gain feedback or access peer review resources is strongly discouraged and may lead to serious consequences.

Before submission, ensure that you have adequate funding to cover the APC if your paper is accepted for publication.

 

Plagiarism Policy

Introduction

The Journal of Language, Literature & Social Affairs (JLLSA) upholds the highest standards of academic integrity and scholarly ethics. Plagiarism, in any form, undermines the credibility of academic publishing and the scholarly community at large. To ensure the authenticity and originality of published research, JLLSA enforces a strict anti-plagiarism policy.

Definition of Plagiarism

Plagiarism is defined as the use of another individual’s work, ideas, or expressions without proper acknowledgment, thereby presenting them as one’s own. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Copying Text: Reproducing text from published or unpublished sources without quotation marks and citation.
• Paraphrasing: Rewording another author’s ideas, theories, or findings without appropriate credit.
• Unacknowledged Use of Data: Utilizing data, figures, images, or tables from external sources without proper attribution.
• Self-Plagiarism: Republishing one’s own previously submitted or published work without disclosure, citation, or permission.

Plagiarism Threshold

• JLLSA Standard: Manuscripts submitted to JLLSA must not exceed a 10% similarity index. Submissions that surpass this threshold may be rejected outright or returned for substantial revision.
• HEC Benchmark: For reference, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan allows up to 19% similarity. However, JLLSA maintains a stricter standard to promote academic excellence and originality.

Detection and Prevention

• Plagiarism Detection Software: All submissions are rigorously screened using advanced plagiarism detection tools (e.g., Turnitin) to ensure content originality.
• Author Responsibility: Authors are solely responsible for ensuring that their work is original and appropriately cited. Manuscripts must not infringe upon the intellectual property rights of others.

Handling of Plagiarism

• Initial Review: If plagiarism is suspected, the editorial team conducts a preliminary assessment to determine its extent and nature.
• Verification: Suspected content is cross-referenced with the original sources. Authors may be asked to clarify or provide documentation during this process.

Actions Against Plagiarism

• Minor Plagiarism: In cases involving improper citation or unintentional referencing errors, authors will be asked to revise and resubmit the manuscript with appropriate corrections.
• Major Plagiarism: For serious or intentional plagiarism, the manuscript will be rejected without further consideration. If already published, the paper will be retracted and removed from the journal archives with a retraction notice.
• Repeated Offenses: Authors who are found to engage in repeated or egregious acts of plagiarism will be permanently banned from submitting to JLLSA. In severe cases, the journal may notify the author’s affiliated institution or funding agency.

Author’s Declaration

All authors are required to submit a Statement of Originality affirming that:

• The manuscript is original.
• All sources have been appropriately cited.
• The work has not been published elsewhere or is under consideration by another journal.

Appeal Process

Authors who believe that a plagiarism decision was made in error have the right to appeal. Appeals will be reviewed by the editorial board, and a final verdict will be rendered after a thorough and impartial evaluation.

Transparency and Public Disclosure

In the event of a retraction due to plagiarism, the journal will publish a formal notice detailing the reason for the action to uphold transparency and maintain the trust of the academic community.

Use of AI-Generated Content

JLLSA strictly prohibits the use of AI-generated content in all submitted academic works. Authors must ensure that their manuscripts are the result of original human scholarship. Submissions generated or significantly assisted by AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Bard, Gemini, etc.) are not acceptable, as they compromise the authenticity, critical thinking, and academic rigor expected in scholarly publications. All manuscripts must have 0% AI-generated content, and authors must submit work that reflects their own intellectual effort. Violations of this policy will be treated with the same severity as plagiarism.

 

Open Access Policy

Introduction

The Journal of Language, Literature & Social Affairs (JLLSA) adheres to a robust open access policy that reflects its commitment to the unrestricted dissemination of high-quality research in the humanities and social sciences. By removing barriers to access, JLLSA fosters the global exchange of knowledge, enabling scholars, students, and practitioners worldwide to benefit from its published content freely and immediately.

Free and Immediate Access

All articles published in JLLSA are made freely and immediately available online upon publication. Readers do not require any form of subscription, registration, or payment to access content. This model ensures the widest possible reach for scholarly work, extending its impact across academic, educational, and public spheres.

Licensing Terms

All content in JLLSA is published under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0). This license permits users to:

• Share: Copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format.

However, it includes the following conditions:

1. NonCommercial: The material may not be used for commercial purposes.
2. NoDerivatives: Users may not remix, transform, or build upon the material for distribution.
3. Attribution: Appropriate credit must be given to the original authors, a link to the license must be provided, and any changes (if applicable) must be clearly indicated. However, no modifications to the original work may be shared.

This license strikes a balance between openness and the protection of authorial integrity, allowing for educational and non-commercial use while preserving the originality of the work.

Author Rights and Copyright

JLLSA follows an author-friendly policy wherein authors retain full copyright of their work. The journal is granted a non-exclusive license to publish, distribute, and archive the manuscript. This model empowers authors with full control over their intellectual property, allowing them to reuse or share their work freely, with proper citation.

No Embargo Policy

JLLSA enforces a zero-embargo policy. All articles are accessible to the public immediately upon publication, ensuring that research findings are promptly available to contribute to academic discourse and societal advancement without any delay.

Benefits for Authors

Publishing with JLLSA under its open access model offers several key advantages:

1. Enhanced Visibility and Citation: Open access articles are generally cited more frequently due to their broad availability.
2. Global Accessibility: Researchers and institutions worldwide, especially those in resource-constrained environments, can access content without financial or institutional barriers.
3. Reader Engagement: Free access for all readers increases the reach and influence of published work across diverse academic and professional communities.

Article Processing Charges (APC)

To support the sustainability of the open access model, JLLSA may apply Article Processing Charges (APCs). These fees contribute to essential publishing services such as peer review, editorial support, typesetting, DOI assignment, and long-term hosting.

• APC Transparency: Authors are advised to consult the APC policy prior to submission.
• Waivers and Discounts: JLLSA may offer partial or full waivers for authors from low-income countries or in cases of financial hardship.

Compliance with Funding Requirements

JLLSA’s open access policy is fully aligned with the mandates of major funding bodies and institutions. Authors can confidently publish their funded research in JLLSA, knowing it meets the open access criteria required by their grants and sponsors.

Long-Term Digital Preservation

JLLSA is committed to the permanent preservation of its scholarly content. The journal utilizes trusted digital archiving systems to ensure that all articles remain accessible to future researchers, even in the event of journal discontinuation.

 

Archiving Policy

Open Access Commitment

The Journal of Language, Literature & Social Affairs (JLLSA) is dedicated to promoting open access to scholarly research. All published content is freely accessible online without subscription or access charges. In accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0), users are authorized to:

1. Read, download, copy, distribute, print, search, and link to the full texts of the articles.
2. Utilize the material for any lawful, non-commercial purpose, provided that proper credit is given to the original authors and the journal, and the content remains unaltered.

Open Archiving Policy

JLLSA maintains a robust open archiving policy to ensure long-term accessibility and discoverability of published research. All content is preserved in open repositories and may be freely accessed and cited. Users are encouraged to acknowledge the original source when referencing or reusing content from the journal. This policy fosters wider dissemination and enhances the visibility and scholarly impact of the research.

Self-Archiving and Author Rights

As a green open-access journal, JLLSA fully supports author self-archiving. Authors retain the copyright of their work and are permitted to deposit pre-prints, post-prints, or the final published version in personal, institutional, or subject-based repositories without requiring additional permissions. Public sharing is encouraged, provided the original publication is appropriately cited and linked back to the journal.

Ethical Standards and Publication Guidelines

JLLSA strictly follows the ethical principles set forth by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and complies with the quality benchmarks recommended by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan. The editorial team is committed to maintaining integrity and transparency in the peer-review process, addressing conflicts of interest, and ensuring ethical conduct throughout the publication lifecycle.

 

Correction & Retraction Policy

Correction Policy

1. Purpose of Corrections

The Journal of Language, Literature & Social Affairs (JLLSA) is committed to upholding the accuracy, transparency, and reliability of the scholarly record. This correction policy is designed to address errors that may affect the presentation, interpretation, or understanding of published work, ensuring continued trust in academic publishing.

2. Types of Corrections

• Erratum (Publisher-Initiated Correction): Issued when the journal identifies publishing errors, such as typographical mistakes, incorrect data, or factual inaccuracies, that do not change the overall conclusions of the article.
• Corrigendum (Author-Initiated Correction): Issued when the authors recognize substantive errors in the published work that may affect its interpretation or credibility.

3. Correction Procedure

• Detection: Errors can be identified by authors, readers, peer reviewers, or editorial staff.
• Assessment: The editorial team verifies the reported issue and evaluates the impact on the article’s validity.
• Implementation: If a correction is warranted, a formal correction notice is issued, clearly outlining the changes. The original article remains unchanged but is linked to the published correction for full transparency.

Visibility and Indexing

All correction notices are prominently linked to the original articles and indexed in major academic databases to ensure broad visibility and traceability.

Retraction Policy

1. Purpose of Retractions

Retractions are issued to formally withdraw a published article from the academic record when its content is found to be invalid or unethical. This ensures the scholarly integrity of the journal and prevents the continued citation or dissemination of flawed work.

2. Grounds for Retraction

• Research Misconduct: Evidence of plagiarism, data manipulation, or fabrication that compromises the integrity of the research.
• Ethical Violations: Breaches of ethical standards involving research with human or animal subjects, or failure to obtain necessary approvals.
• Fundamental Errors: Major mistakes in data, methodology, or conclusions that invalidate the findings and cannot be resolved through a correction notice.

3. Retraction Procedure

• Inquiry and Review: The editorial board conducts a detailed investigation, consulting relevant stakeholders such as authors, reviewers, and institutional representatives.
• Editorial Decision: Based on COPE (Committee on Publication Ethics) recommendations, the editorial board determines whether retraction is appropriate.
• Retraction Notice: A formal notice is issued, explaining the reason for retraction. The original article remains accessible but is clearly marked as retracted.
• Indexing and Transparency: Retraction notices are openly published and linked to the original articles in all relevant databases to ensure accountability and awareness.

4. Ethical Standards and Transparency

JLLSA follows the ethical publishing guidelines established by COPE and the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan. All correction and retraction processes are managed with transparency, fairness, and academic responsibility to protect the integrity of the journal and the research community.

Contact Information

For further clarification regarding our correction or retraction policies, or to report a concern related to a published article, please contact the editorial team at Contact Us.

 

Peer Review Policy

Overview

The Journal of Language, Literature & Social Affairs (JLLSA) is dedicated to maintaining the highest academic standards through a transparent, impartial, and ethically sound peer review process. Every manuscript submitted to JLLSA is evaluated for its originality, scholarly value, methodological soundness, and relevance to the broader fields of language, literature, and social sciences. The peer review process plays a vital role in upholding the credibility and academic integrity of the journal.

Review Model: Double-Blind Peer Review

To ensure objectivity and prevent any potential bias, JLLSA employs a double-blind review system:

• Author anonymity: Reviewers do not have access to the identity of the author(s).
• Reviewer anonymity: Authors remain unaware of the reviewers’ identities.

This method ensures that manuscripts are judged purely on academic merit, independent of the identities or affiliations of the individuals involved.

Peer Review Workflow

1. Submission and Preliminary Editorial Check

• Authors submit manuscripts via the online JLLSA submission portal.
• The editorial team conducts an initial review to verify that the submission fits the journal's scope, complies with formatting and ethical guidelines, and meets basic quality criteria.
• Submissions that fail to meet these standards may be declined without external review.

2. Reviewer Selection and Assignment

• Manuscripts deemed suitable are assigned to at least two independent reviewers with appropriate subject matter expertise.
• Reviewers are selected based on academic qualifications, research experience, and lack of conflicts of interest with the authors.

3. Review Process

• Reviewers receive anonymized manuscripts and assess them based on originality, clarity, rigor, methodological soundness, and the significance of the research.
• They provide constructive feedback and make one of the following recommendations:
• Accept without revision
• Accept with minor revisions
• Major revisions required (resubmission)
• Reject

4. Editorial Evaluation and Decision

• Editors evaluate reviewer reports and determine the final outcome.
• If revisions are requested, the manuscript is returned to the author(s), who must address the feedback and resubmit within a specified timeframe.
• Revised submissions may undergo further review or be accepted at the editor’s discretion.
• Authors are notified of the final decision along with relevant reviewer comments.

Timeframe

The typical duration for the peer review process ranges from 4 to 6 weeks. However, timelines may vary based on manuscript complexity and reviewer availability.

Reviewer Ethics and Responsibilities

Reviewer Selection

• JLLSA maintains a diverse and qualified panel of reviewers across disciplines in the social sciences and humanities.
• Reviewers are chosen for their subject matter expertise, academic integrity, and impartiality.

Confidentiality

• All manuscripts under review are confidential documents.
• Reviewers must not disclose or discuss manuscript content with third parties without prior editorial consent.

Ethical Conduct

• Reviewers are expected to provide unbiased, constructive, and respectful feedback.
• Any potential conflicts of interest—personal, professional, or financial—must be disclosed immediately to the editorial office.

Appeals Process

Authors who believe their manuscript has been unfairly rejected may file an appeal. The appeal must include a detailed explanation and justification. Appeals are reviewed by the editorial board, and in some cases, an independent expert may be consulted. The decision of the Editor-in-Chief following the appeal is final.

Commitment to Ethical Standards

JLLSA aligns its review practices with the ethical guidelines established by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). All parties involved—editors, reviewers, and authors—are expected to uphold principles of integrity, transparency, and academic responsibility throughout the review process.

Reviewer Recognition

To honor the essential contributions of peer reviewers:

• JLLSA publishes an annual list of reviewers on its website.
• Certificates of acknowledgment are available upon request as a token of appreciation for their service.

Conclusion

At JLLSA, the peer review process is the cornerstone of scholarly publishing. Through a structured, fair, and ethically governed system, the journal ensures that only high-quality research contributing meaningfully to its disciplines is published. This commitment strengthens both academic excellence and the trust of the scholarly community.

 

Copyright Policy

Ownership and Rights Retention

The Journal of Language, Literature & Social Affairs (JLLSA) adheres to an open-access publication model, facilitating unrestricted public access to all published content while ensuring that authors maintain full ownership of their intellectual work. JLLSA operates under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0), which allows the journal to disseminate scholarly content responsibly while safeguarding author rights.

Under this model, authors retain the complete copyright of their work upon publication. However, by submitting and publishing with JLLSA, authors grant the journal the non-exclusive right to be the first publisher of the work and to distribute it under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license.

License Provisions

All works published in JLLSA are governed by the terms of the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license, which includes the following conditions:

• Attribution (BY): Others may reproduce and share the work provided that appropriate credit is given to the author(s), the journal, and the publisher (Scholar Club), with proper citation of the original publication.
• NonCommercial (NC): Use of the content for commercial purposes is strictly prohibited without prior written consent from both the author(s) and JLLSA.
• NoDerivatives (ND): The material must not be modified, remixed, or used to create derivative works. Any redistribution must maintain the work in its original form.

Author Rights

Authors publishing with JLLSA retain a broad set of rights, including but not limited to the following:

1. Content Sharing: Authors are encouraged to distribute their work via personal websites, institutional repositories, or academic networking sites (e.g., ResearchGate, Academia.edu) for non-commercial purposes with appropriate citation to JLLSA.
2. Educational Use: Authors may use their published content in classroom teaching, academic presentations, and other educational settings, provided the original source is acknowledged.
3. Self-Archiving: Authors are permitted to deposit various versions of their manuscripts including pre-print, post-print, and the final publisher PDF in institutional or personal archives without seeking prior permission.

Rights Granted to JLLSA

By submitting their manuscript, authors provide JLLSA with the following non-exclusive rights:

• Right of First Publication: The journal has the authority to publish and disseminate the content in both print and digital formats.
• Archiving and Preservation: JLLSA reserves the right to store published content in institutional repositories, academic databases, and digital archives to ensure its continued accessibility and preservation.

Requests for Reuse

Uses of the published material that fall outside the bounds of the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license require prior authorization from both the authors and JLLSA. This includes:

1. Commercial Exploitation: Any use involving financial gain, such as reprinting in commercial outlets, requires explicit permission.
2. Translations and Derivative Works: Creating translated versions or adapted content—even for non-commercial use—requires prior written approval from both the journal and the author(s).

Infringement and Misuse

JLLSA enforces strict compliance with copyright laws and licensing terms. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or modification of published materials constitutes a breach of copyright and may lead to legal proceedings. Suspected violations can be reported to the editorial office for investigation and appropriate action.

Disclaimer and Editorial Rights

While authors retain copyright ownership, JLLSA maintains editorial authority to correct, amend, or retract published material when necessary, such as in cases of factual errors, ethical breaches, or academic misconduct. All published content is subject to ongoing editorial oversight to uphold scholarly integrity.

This policy ensures a balanced framework where author rights are respected, scholarly dissemination is encouraged, and ethical standards are rigorously upheld.