ERPP practices in the Arab world
One language, different problems
Limited empirical research addresses how Arabic-speaking English as an Additional Language (EAL) scholars approach
research writing and its associated challenges despite that many Arabic-Speaking EAL scholars are engaging in global knowledge
production outside and inside the Arab World. This is even more the case now than in the past as some Arab universities are
prompting proactive research agendas that encourage publishing in high-impact English language journals. This paper examines 20
empirical studies that investigated the research writing and publishing practices of Arabic-speaking EAL scholars, and analyzes
the content of those studies according to the scholars’ research drivers and the accompanying challenges they faced when
publishing their research in English. This paper also highlights how these challenges are experienced in different universities
and countries, emphasizing the complexity of English for Research Publishing Purposes (ERPP) practices even within the same
linguistic group. The aim of this paper is to contribute to the growing ERPP scholarship by serving as a starting point for more
systematic research on Arabic-speaking EAL scholars.
Article outline
- 1.Introduction
- 1.1Arabic-speaking EAL scholars’ research activity
- 1.2Scope of this review
- 2.Methodology
- 2.1Search strategy and review protocol
- 2.2Inclusion/exclusion criteria
- 2.3Themes and focus questions
- 3.Bird’s-eye view of research in the Arab world
- 3.1Overview of Arab universities
- 3.1.1Language(s) of instruction in Arab universities
- 3.2Teaching or research universities
- 3.3The ranking craze
- 4.Arabic-speaking EAL scholars and research drivers
- 4.1Personal interest
- 4.2Promotion
- 4.3Studying abroad
- 4.4Rankings and publishing in high-impact factor journals
- 5.ERPP challenges
- 5.1Challenge 1: Research infrastructure and support
- 5.1.1Lack of research resources
- 5.1.2Lack of collaboration opportunities
- 5.1.3Teaching loads
- 5.1.4Lack of research training
- 5.1.5Lack of understanding of international publishing procedures
- 5.2Challenge 2: Language
- 5.2.1English as a general term
- 5.2.2English and research writing
- 5.2.3Studying and teaching in English
- 5.2.4Mechanical/local issues in English
- 5.2.5Stylistic difficulties
- 5.3Challenge 3: Laborious writing and revising
- 5.4Challenge 4: Hard versus social sciences
- 5.5Challenge 5: Parochialism
- 6.Future solutions
- 7.Summary of the review’s themes
- 8.Arabic-speaking EAL scholars and their multilingual peers
- 9.Conclusion
- Acknowledgments
-
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