ISSN 2360-7963
Abstract
In recent years, analysing academic publication trends has become essential for understanding evolving priorities and theoretical orientations in language education and applied linguistics. This study presents a dual-perspective meta-analytic review of all research articles published in 2023 in 3L: Language, Linguistics, Literature, a peer-reviewed journal by the University of Kebangsaan Malaysia. The analysis is conducted from two dimensions: a structural perspective, focusing on research context, participant profiles, and methodological approaches; and a socio-cultural perspective, examining the theoretical foundations and pedagogical implications of the published studies. Guided by sociocultural and ecological theories, the study investigates whether the journal’s research contributions align with broader educational goals and serve the needs of the language education community. Findings reveal a dominant focus on English as a Foreign Language (EFL) in Malaysian contexts, with ecological theory underpinning much of the inquiry. Assessment was identified as the most frequently addressed theme, while instructional practices and the role of educators received limited attention. By highlighting these trends, the study contributes to both scholarly discourse and editorial practice, encouraging more theoretically grounded and contextually responsive research in applied linguistics.
Keywords: Applied Linguistics, Meta-Analysis, Sociocultural Theory, Research Trends, Ecological Framework