ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses naturally occurring data and their use in pragmatics research that focuses on spoken language. It also discusses the two ways in which naturally occurring data are typically collected, namely using field notes and recordings. A useful definition of what counts as naturally occurring data is provided by Potter, who suggests using the 'dead social scientist's test'. Several studies have compared naturally occurring data with data obtained through other elicitation methods, such as role plays, written or oral discourse completion tasks (DCTs) or questionnaires. Comparisons between role plays and naturally occurring data have shown that role plays capture interactional details and thus yield more realistic data than other data elicitation methods. Researchers take field notes on site either as observers or as participant observers. Recorded naturally occurring data allows for exact and repeated analysis of the linguistic material, and for data verification by other researchers.
