1. ABOUT THE JOURNAL – BASIC INFORMATION

Malayalam Research Key is a multidisciplinary, peer-reviewed research journal that presents new paradigms and theoretical discourses in Malayalam research beyond linear thinking. Published by the Thiruvananthapuram based Answer Key Academy under the leadership of research scholars from various Indian universities, the journal also involves the active participation of professors, writers, and literature students. This quarterly journal is available in both online and print editions. Malayalam Research Key aims to open doors to further inquiries and re-examinations.

2. CONTACT DETAILS OF JOURNAL

MALAYALAM RESEARCH KEY

Multidisciplinary Peer Reviewed Research Journal

Pels Cottage, Lourdepuram, Kanjiramkulam P.O.,

Thiruvananthapuram, Keralam 695524

Phone : 9526014270

Email : malayalamresearchkey@gmail.com

3. AIMS, OBJECTIVES, SCOPE, SUBMISSION FOCUS, SUBJECT AREAS

AIMS: Malayalam Research Key aims to break away from one-dimensional academic traditions by fostering new paradigms and theoretical discourses in Malayalam research. The journal seeks to be a catalyst for continuous intellectual inquiry, encouraging researchers, academicians, and writers to revisit established narratives and explore uncharted territories in multidisciplinary studies. By bridging the gap between traditional scholarship and contemporary critique, it strives to serve as a premier global platform for transformative ideas.

OBJECTIVES: The journal is dedicated to promoting multi-dimensional discourse by publishing high-quality, peer-reviewed research that transcends conventional boundaries and introduces fresh theoretical frameworks. To complement this forward-looking approach, it provides a dedicated forum for critical re-evaluation, further inquiry, and rigorous debate on existing academic paradigms. By actively engaging university research scholars, educators, creative writers, and literature students, the journal works to foster collaboration and build a vibrant academic community. Finally, it ensures global accessibility by maintaining high standards of scholarly excellence across both its quarterly print and online editions, ultimately making diverse research accessible to a wider audience.

SCOPE: The scope of Malayalam Research Key encompasses a broad spectrum of multidisciplinary studies where Malayalam language, literature, culture, and societal evolution intersect with global academic discourses. The journal welcomes original research papers, critical essays, comparative analyses, and book reviews that challenge simplistic interpretations and offer complex, layered insights.

SUBMISSION FOCUS: The journal prioritizes submissions that exhibit deep analytical rigor and intellectual originality. To this end, it emphasizes several key focal points for prospective authors, beginning with papers that offer non-linear perspectives by moving away from traditional, chronological, or rigid structures toward multi-dimensional analyses. Additionally, the editorial board values methodological innovation, actively seeking studies that employ unique theoretical frameworks and cross-disciplinary research methodologies. Authors are encouraged to submit critical inquiries that question, re-examine, or expand upon existing socio-cultural and literary canons. Finally, the journal champions collaborative voices by welcoming contributions from emerging research scholars, seasoned educators, and passionate literature students alike.

SUBJECT AREAS: Malayalam Research Key invites contributions across a diverse range of disciplines, encompassing both core domains and interdisciplinary frameworks. Within its core domains, the journal welcomes research in Malayalam Language and Literature (മലയാളഭാഷയും സാഹിത്യവും), Comparative Literature and Translation Studies (താരതമ്യ സാഹിത്യവും വിവർത്തന പഠനങ്ങളും), Historiography and Politics (ചരിത്രരചനയും രാഷ്ട്രീയവും), as well as Literary Theory and Philosophy (സാഹിത്യ സിദ്ധാന്തവും തത്ത്വചിന്തയും). Additionally, the journal encourages submissions within its interdisciplinary frameworks, which include Cultural Studies and Kerala Heritage (സാംസ്കാരിക പഠനങ്ങളും കേരള പൈതൃകവും), Gender, Caste, and Subaltern Discourses (ലിംഗഭേദം, ജാതി, പാർശ്വവത്കൃത സംവാദങ്ങൾ), Media, Cinema, and Digital Culture in Kerala (കേരളത്തിലെ മാധ്യമങ്ങൾ, സിനിമ, ഡിജിറ്റൽ സംസ്കാരം), Folklore, Performing Arts, and Oral Traditions (ഫോക്‌ലോർ, അവതരണ കലകൾ, വാമൊഴി പാരമ്പര്യങ്ങൾ), and Linguistics and Language Pedagogy (സാമൂഹിക ഭാഷാശാസ്ത്രം, ഭാഷാ ബോധനശാസ്ത്രം).

4. MULTILINGUAL AVAILABILITY

To champion authentic regional scholarship and rigorous academic inquiry, Malayalam Research Key operates exclusively as a Malayalam-medium publication. The journal accepts and publishes original research papers, critical essays, and scholarly contributions solely in the Malayalam language. This dedicated focus ensures that localized insights, intricate linguistic nuances, and complex socio-cultural contexts are articulated with maximum native precision. By maintaining this exclusive linguistic framework, the publication fosters a rich, vibrant exchange of multidisciplinary ideas among research scholars, educators, and literature students within the Malayalam academic community. To increase international visibility, we plan to create an English abstract repository for all articles on our website.

5. ACCESS POLICY

Online Access: (Open Access) All articles published online are immediately and permanently free for everyone to read, download, and share. We support the open exchange of ideas by providing unrestricted access to our quarterly digital content for academic and non-commercial research purposes.

Print Access: For those who prefer a physical copy, Malayalam Research Key is available through annual subscriptions or single-issue purchases. Individuals and institutions interested in obtaining print editions can acquire them directly through Answer Key Academy. Please contact our administrative office for details on current pricing, availability, and shipping options.

6. PLAGIARISM POLICY

The journal maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward plagiarism and academic dishonesty. All submitted manuscripts undergo rigorous screening using industry-standard plagiarism detection software prior to the peer-review process. Malayalam Research Key defines plagiarism as the uncredited use of others’ words, ideas, data, or structural frameworks. Any manuscript demonstrating significant textual overlap or uncredited borrowing will be immediately rejected, and the editorial board reserves the right to impose institutional bans on habitual offenders.

7. AI GENERATED CONTENT POLICY

In alignment with global academic integrity standards (such as COPE guidelines), Malayalam Research Key prohibits the use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, such as ChatGPT or similar Large Language Models, for creating or drafting core scholarly arguments, analyses, or text. AI tools may only be utilized for basic spelling and grammar correction as well as refinement. Authors must explicitly disclose any use of AI assistance in their acknowledgment section. AI tools cannot be listed as an author or co-author under any circumstances.

8. REVIEW POLICY

To maintain high standards of scholarly excellence, Malayalam Research Key employs a double-blind peer review process. Under this framework, the identities of both the authors and the reviewers are strictly concealed from one another throughout the evaluation. Submissions are initially screened by the editorial board for alignment with the journal’s scope. Qualifying papers are then evaluated by at least two independent, external subject-matter experts based on original insight, methodology, and analytical rigor.

9. ARCHIVAL POLICY

To guarantee the long-term preservation and digital durability of its scholarly output, Malayalam Research Key utilizes a multi-layered archival strategy. Published volumes are permanently saved and maintained directly on the official journal website. Additionally, full-text backups of all quarterly volumes are permanently preserved in the journal’s institutional repositories, ensuring that published research remains accessible to future generations even in the event of platform migration.

10. AUTHOR GUIDELINES FOR SUBMISSION

• Font and Typography: Manuscripts must be typed in a Unicode-compliant font such as Rachana or Manjari.

• Font size: The text should be set to 12-point font size.

• Line spacing: Please use 1.5-line spacing throughout the document.

• Margins: Ensure one-inch margins are applied to all sides of the document.

• Title page: Must include the full title of the paper, author name, institutional affiliation, and a contact email address.

• Abstract: Include a summary of 150 to 200 words, provided in both Malayalam and English

• Keywords: Include 4 to 6 keywords for indexing, provided in both Malayalam and English.

• Style guide: Authors must follow the unified Style Sheet of Malayalam Research Key Journal

• Word count: The main body of the text should be between 3,000 and 5,000 words.

• Citation style: All references and bibliographies must strictly follow either MLA 9th Edition or APA 7th Edition style.

• Originality declaration: By submitting, the author declares that the work is original, has not been published elsewhere, and is not currently under consideration by another journal.

11. ETHICAL GUIDELINES

The Malayalam Research Key requires that all contributors adhere to high ethical standards to ensure academic integrity. Authors must submit original work that is properly cited, free from plagiarism or fabrication, and not simultaneously under consideration by other journals; they must also ensure that all listed contributors have made significant intellectual contributions and that any conflicts of interest are disclosed. Editors are responsible for maintaining a transparent and unbiased double-blind peer review process, basing all editorial decisions solely on academic merit, protecting the confidentiality of the review process, and investigating any allegations of misconduct. Finally, reviewers must provide objective, constructive, and timely feedback within their area of expertise, maintain strict confidentiality regarding the manuscripts they evaluate, and recuse themselves should any conflict of interest prevent an impartial assessment.

12. GUIDELINES FOR PEER REVIEW PROCESS

The peer review process begins with an initial editorial assessment, during which the Editorial Board conducts a preliminary screening of the manuscript to ensure adherence to formatting guidelines, alignment with the journal’s scope, and the absence of plagiarism. Manuscripts meeting these initial criteria are subsequently forwarded to two independent subject-matter experts for a rigorous, external domain-specific evaluation. Based on this appraisal, reviewers provide a formal recommendation, which may include acceptance without modification, acceptance subject to minor revisions, an invitation to resubmit following major revisions, or rejection. In instances where reviewers’ opinions conflict, the manuscript is referred to a third reviewer for an additional assessment, though the Chief Editor maintains ultimate authority regarding the final publication decision.

13. ARTICLE PUBLISHING TIMELINE

• Submission and Initial Desk Review (Days 1–10): Manuscripts are submitted and undergo a preliminary screening for formatting, scope, and plagiarism.

• Peer Review Phase (Days 11–50): Manuscripts are assigned to two independent subject-matter experts for a rigorous double-blind peer review.

• Author Revision (Days 51–80): Authors are notified of the decision and are allotted 30 days to address reviewer comments and submit their revised manuscripts.

• Final Editorial Decision (Days 81–90): The editorial board reviews the resubmitted work. Upon a final decision of acceptance, the article is sent to the production department.

• Early Access/Online Publication (Days 91–100): Accepted articles undergo copyediting and typesetting. Once finalized, they are published immediately on the journal’s website as Online Edition

• Quarterly Issue Compilation: Articles that have been published under Early Access are subsequently collected and assigned to their respective quarterly issue (January–March, April–June, July–September, October–December) for final printing

14. ARTICLE ACCEPTANCE RATE

To uphold high academic standards, Malayalam Research Key employs a competitive and selective peer-review system. The estimated target acceptance rate for submitted manuscripts ranges between 30% and 40%. This ensures that only well-researched, deeply analytical, and original contributions are selected for publication in each quarterly issue.

15. ARTICLE PROCESSING CHARGES (APC)

Malayalam Research Key does not currently charge any Article Processing Charges (APCs) for publishing research articles.