ABSTRACT
Given the myriad ways that the field of pragmatics can be studied, the need for a chapter dedicated to research methods in pragmatics is clear. The goal here is to present the most common methods used in pragmatics research in general, and also how one might configure some study design innovations. The research methods discussed herein, addressing questions of native-speaker, cross-cultural, and second-language (L2) learner pragmatics, are divided into those used to gather two types of data: naturally occurring and elicited. Within those two main categories, qualitative and qualitative research methods are examined. The review indicates that the field of pragmatics, especially in studies based on elicited data, is in need of new methods of data collection, and that better ways of gathering naturally occurring data must be found.
