Exploring the Role of Methodological Factors in Publishing Turkish and Foreign Journals

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze and compare recent research papers on foreign language education in Turkish context with those published in international context to shed light on researchers and policy makers for future studies. This study filled a gap in this field and also aimed to increase the rate of acceptance of research papers submitted by Turkish authors in foreign journals. Content Analysis method was used in this study. This study focused on recent 188 research papers published in 8 prestigious journals indexed in Social Sciences Citation Index in Turkey and in the world and they were analyzed in terms of research design, data collection tools, samples, sample size and data analysis method. The results of the study revealed that quantitative research design was predominantly used in Turkish journals while qualitative research design was mainly preferred by foreign journals. In addition, undergraduates were the focus of attention as sample group particularly in Turkish journals.  This study suggested that qualitative research design should be given priority and alternative instruments like concept maps and portfolio should be used in this type of studies including observation and interviews.  Moreover, experimental studies should be more focus of attention rather than administrating only one questionnaire in quantitative studies.

Keywords: publishing in journals, ELT journals, methodology in journals, content analysis in journals