College Reading & Learning Association (2024)

Volume 50: Call for Manuscripts

Manuscript Preparation: Feature Articles

Feature articles include theoretical analyses and reports of original research. All articles should connect theory, research, and practice.

Submissions are accepted on a rolling basis.

Submission Guidelines

• Writing, citation, and documentation style must follow the APA Publication Manual (6th edition) guidelines; manuscripts not conforming to APA may be returned without review.
• Acceptable text file format is Microsoft Word (.doc, .docx, etc.).
• Authors are responsible for the accuracy of all the statements in their manuscript as well as obtaining permissions for reprinting figures or quotations that exceed fair use regulations.
• Previously published articles or manuscripts under consideration elsewhere cannot be considered.
• Figures and tables should be all black and white and should be submitted as separate files as well as embedded in the manuscript itself. A short descriptive title should appear above each table with a clear legend and any footnotes suitably identified below. All units must be included. Figures should be completely labeled, taking into account necessary size reduction.
• Images or graphics should be sent as separate files and should be 300 dpi or higher, sized to fit on the journal page, EPS, TIFF, or PSD format only.
• Color art will be reproduced in color in the online publication at no additional cost to the author. Color illustrations will also be considered for print publication; however, the author will be required to bear the full cost involved in color art reproduction. Please note that color reprints can only be ordered if print reproduction costs are paid. Print Rates: $900 for the first page of color; $450 per page for the next three pages of color. A custom quote will be provided for articles with more than four pages of color. Art not supplied at a minimum of 300 dpi will not be considered for print.

Information for Authors

• Authors are required to secure permission to reproduce any figure, table, or extract from the text of another source. This applies to direct reproduction as well as "derivative reproduction" (where an author has created a new figure or table which derives substantially from a copyrighted source).
• Manuscripts do not generally exceed 6,000 words.
• Authors should submit the following:
  • a masked version of the manuscript, including references and an abstract of up to 125 words (no author information should be included).
  • an unmasked version of the manuscript with a cover page that includes the manuscript title, all authors' names, institutional affiliations, and full contact information for the first (contact) author.

JCRL Forum

The purpose of the JCRL Forum is to invite nontraditional manuscripts that create and sustain interesting theoretical and pedagogical discussions. The JCRL Forum welcomes a wide range of submissions including those that:

• are theoretically based;
• describe examples of research-supported practice;
• review or respond critically to recently published JCRL articles; and/or
• review or respond to current issues in the field.

Forum publications are selected through a double-blind peer review process.

Submission Guidelines

• Manuscripts should be no more than 2,500 words in length.
• Writing, citation, and documentation style must follow the APA Publication Manual (6th edition) guidelines; manuscripts not conforming to APA may be returned without review.
• Acceptable text file format is Microsoft Word (.doc, .docx, etc.).
• Authors are responsible for the accuracy of all the statements in their manuscript as well as obtaining permissions for reprinting figures or quotations that exceed fair use regulations.
• Previously published articles or manuscripts under consideration elsewhere cannot be considered.
• Authors should submit the following:

• a masked version of the manuscript, including references (no author information should be included).
• an unmasked version of the manuscript with a cover page that includes the manuscript title, all authors' names, institutional affiliations, and full contact information for the first (contact) author.

Manuscript Submission

The Journal of College Reading and Learning receives all manuscript submissions electronically via its ScholarOne site located at http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/jcrl. ScholarOne allows for rapid submission of original and revised manuscripts and facilitates the review process and internal communication between authors, editors, and reviewers via a web-based platform. ScholarOne technical support can be accessed at http://scholarone.com/services/support .

Inquiries should be directed to the editorial team at JCRL@CRLA.net .

Review Process

An email message or letter will acknowledge manuscript receipt. The review process begins with an initial evaluation by the editorial team to determine appropriateness and suitability for JCRL. Appropriate manuscripts are then sent out to members of the JCRL editorial review board for a double-masked peer review. Following this, the editorial team will provide a decision and feedback to authors.

If accepted for masked review, the manuscript will be sent to at least two reviewers; typically, one has broad general knowledge of the field and one has expertise in the particular topic or methodology. Within three months, authors can expect to receive one of four decisions: (a) manuscript acceptance, (b) conditional acceptance with revision, (c) non-acceptance with an invitation for revision and resubmission for another round of review, or (d) non-acceptance and recommendation for submission to a different publication. Reviewers aim to provide authors with helpful feedback for manuscript revision and future manuscript preparation. Manuscripts that fail to follow submission guidelines will not be reviewed. Manuscripts must not be under consideration by another journal or published elsewhere.

Submissions are evaluated along the following criteria:

• Relevance and importance to JCRL readers
• Adequacy of conceptual framework
• Appropriateness and competence of method
• Accuracy of interpretations and conclusions
• Links between theory, research, or policy and practice
• Clarity of organization and vigor of style
• Originality of contribution

Proofs

Page proofs are sent to the designated author using Taylor & Francis' Central Article Tracking System (CATS). They must be carefully checked and returned within 48 hours of receipt.

Reprint and Issues

Authors for whom we receive a valid email address will be provided an opportunity to purchase reprints of individual articles or copies of the complete print issue. These authors will also be given complimentary access to their final article on Taylor & Francis Online.

Co-Editors

Joan Giblin
JCRL@CRLA.net

Ira Fabri
JCRL@CRLA.net

Assistant Editors

Candace Johnson
JCRL@CRLA.net

Wes Anthony
JCRL@CRLA.net

JCRL Writing Coach Program

In keeping with CRLA’s mission to support professionals who support students’ academic success and the JCRL mission to publish high-quality articles on theory, research, and policy related to postsecondary literacy and learning, we are launching the Journal of College Reading and Learning Writing Coach Program. The goal of this program is to provide potential authors with one-on-one coaching as they prepare manuscripts for submission to JCRL. The focus of the coaching is to provide the potential authors with guidance on making their manuscript “publishable” in JCRL.

Overview

Authors will be paired with a writing coach who has publication experience and expertise related to the authors’ manuscript topics. Writing coaches will review and provide written feedback on the manuscript in progress. At the 2021 CRLA conference or in an alternate format, coaches and authors will then discuss the feedback on the manuscript and the next steps for submitting the manuscript for publication. While publication in JCRLis not guaranteed, participation in this program will provide valuable guidance for meeting the journal’s guidelines and manuscript standards.

Process and Timeline

June 15: Writing coaches submit an application indicating their areas of expertise

June 15: Authors submit an application and an abstract of their manuscript

June 30: Notification of Coach/Author pairs

September 15: Authors submit a completed manuscript to coach

November 1: Coaches provide authors with written feedback on their manuscripts

November 17-20 or alternate dates: Coaches and authors attend “meet-up” session at conference to discuss manuscript feedback. The exact date and time for the session will be sent out once the conference program is available.

Application

To participate in the 2021 conference cohort, please apply online using the appropriate link below:

• Coach
• Author

We will make every effort to pair each author with a writing coach. The application deadline is June 15.

Contact

Please contact the JCRL Editorial Team, Sarah Felber, Deena Vaughn, and Mariko Carson at jcrl@crla.net with any questions.

JCRL Research Grant

Taylor & Francis Journal of College Reading and Learning Research Grant: Call for Proposals

Overview

The editors of Journal of College Reading and Learning invite applications for one $500 research grant generously provided by the Taylor and Francis Group.

The accepted application will propose research that falls within JCRL's scope: developmental education, postsecondary literacy instruction, and learning assistance at the postsecondary level.

The grant award money may be used in a variety of ways to support research, including but not limited to:

• compensating research subjects
• purchasing software or other materials
• research-related travel (not to the CRLA conference though)

The awardee is expected to complete research within 18 months of grant award, to submit mid-point and completion status reports, and to submit an article based on the grant-supported research to JCRL within one year of project completion. While acceptance is not guaranteed, the JCRL editors will provide special consideration in working with the author(s).

Application Deadline: September 15 (awardee will be announced at the CRLA Conference)

Selection Criteria

• All researchers named on the grant proposal must be current members of the College Reading and Learning Association.
• Proposals will be evaluated for contribution of the research to the body of work on developmental education, postsecondary literacy instruction, and postsecondary learning assistance
  • Does the proposed research fall within the scope of work published in JCRL?
  • Does the proposal situate the work in the context of related research?
  • Will the research fill a gap in current knowledge or provide a unique perspective?
• Methods must be clearly explained and appropriate to the research question.
• The proposed project should make good use of the grant money.
  • Is the budget for the grant money clear and complete?
  • Will the proposed allocation of funds fill a need for the research project?

Proposals

Proposals should include:

• Names and contact information of all researchers
• Statement of current membership in CRLA for all researchers
• One-page description of research that situates the project in relation to other work in the field and describes the methodology to be used
• Timeline for research project
• Budget for $500 grant money

Submit proposals by the September 15 to jcrl@crla.net with subject line "JCRL Grant Proposal."

Contact

Questions may be directed to the JCRL editors, Sarah Felber, Deena Vaughn, and Mariko Carson, at jcrl@crla.net

Special Issue

Linguistic and Cultural Diversity in Postsecondary Literacy and Learning: Continuing the Conversation

In 2020, the Journal of College Reading and Learning devoted all four issues of Volume 50 to the topic of “Linguistic and Cultural Diversity in Postsecondary Literacy and Learning.” At the time, the editors expressed a desire to encourage conversations and facilitate ongoing engagement with topics of linguistic and cultural diversity within the pages of JCRL, the membership of CRLA, and beyond. In Volume 50, JCRL published fifteen pieces, including four invited essays, covering a range of topics.

In order to continue the conversation, the JCRL editors now invite contributions for a special issue to appear in Volume 52, responding to any of the pieces published in Volume 50. This could include, but is not limited to

• articles describing the application of ideas from one of the Volume 50 articles in the classroom or tutoring center
• expansion or rebuttal of the ideas from an article in Volume 50
• creative works engaging with the ideas from an article in Volume 50
• articles analyzing new data that sheds new light on a finding presented in Volume 50

To have a submission considered for this special issue, please follow the instructions for authors found on the journal website (https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/ucrl20/current) and note in your cover letter that you are submitting for the special issue “Linguistic and Cultural Diversity in Postsecondary Literacy and Learning: Continuing the Conversation.” Submissions for this special issue will be accepted through February 11. Deadline extended to June 1, 2022! All submissions that engage with the themes of Volume 50 are welcome. (Direct response to a Volume 50 article is not required.)