Research methods in interlanguage pragmatics

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of various researchmethods used in interlanguage pragmatics to examine the development ofpragmatic competence in foreign language learners. Data collection methodsin interlanguage pragmatics are categorized into three main types: methodsfor researching spoken interaction, questionnaires, and oral and written self-reports. Methods for researching spoken interaction include the collection ofauthentic data as well as guided conversation and role-playing. Questionnaires(discourse completion tests, multiple-choice questions, and rating scales) arethe most commonly used methods in interlanguage pragmatics research due tothe ease of construction and implementation. The third type of data collectionmethod includes oral and written self-reports (interviews, diaries, and verbalprotocols). For each method, advantages and disadvantages are discussed, andresearch examples are provided. The paper concludes with a proposal for apotential study on the development of pragmatic competence among foreignlanguage learners within the Croatian educational context.