Pragmatics is the study of how we determine meaning and interpret language in context. It involves studying the linguistic, cultural and extra-linguistic factors that affect our understanding of others’ utterances. It is a part of the philosophy of language and also has links with cognitivism, logical linguistics and naturalistic approaches to communication.
Unlike many other research paradigms, pragmatism is not tied to any particular ontological or epistemological stance. Instead, it provides a framework for the creation of knowledge that can be useful and practical in social work and other justice-oriented professions. Pragmatism is also well-suited for addressing questions of social change as it promotes an action-oriented approach to research and problem solving.
One of the key features of pragmatism is its emphasis on abductive reasoning that moves back and forth between deduction and induction. This methodological stance places the research question at the center of inquiry and allows for a flexible approach to research that is not restricted to particular methods or theories (Goldkuhl 2012).
A major underpinning of pragmatism is that all knowledge is socially constructed. Individuals create their perceptions of the world based on their unique experiences, but these are influenced by the social experiences of others and thus form a shared version of reality. Consequently, all knowledge is pragmatic in that it is created to match the needs of individuals and their environment (Morgan 2014a).
This philosophy provides a foundation for the creation of social justice oriented research in many disciplines. It is a natural fit for researchers seeking to create research that will be applied in real world situations. In addition, pragmatism’s emphasis on identifying the most meaningful and practical research results also makes it appropriate for research that integrates quantitative and qualitative data.
It is important to note that pragmatism has been criticized for the way it prioritizes the research question over other philosophical positions such as epistemology and ontology. Consequently, there are some debates about whether pragmatism is compatible with other research paradigms.
Journal of Pragmatics
The goal of the Journal of Pragmatics is to publish original and timely contributions to the field of pragmatics. We welcome a broad range of papers including theoretical essays, experimental studies, reviews of books, and comments on current events in pragmatics. Manuscripts must be written in impeccable English (US American spelling is preferred). Manuscripts should not exceed 6,000 words and should be submitted directly to the journal online. Non-book review manuscripts that are submitted while a decision on a previous submission is pending will not be considered for publication.
The editorial team of the Journal of Pragmatics is committed to a timely and thorough reviewing process, and all manuscripts are blind-reviewed before they are published. We strive to have a decision on all submitted manuscripts within 12 weeks of receipt. Upon acceptance, authors are expected to pay a fee to cover the cost of publishing the article. If a manuscript is not accepted, the editor will contact the author to discuss the reasons why it was not accepted and offer advice on how to revise the paper.