The study focuses on the method of qualitative analysis in pragmatic research，covering its origin，definition，classification， scope of application，as well as its merits and demerits． In order to investigate the application of qualitative analysis in pragmatic research and compare with the exemplification method in theoretical speculation，the researcher collects and analyzes all the empirical studies on pragmatics from 2003 to 2012 published in eight core linguistic journals in China and two international pragmatic journals． The comparison between the Chinese and international journal articles reveals that the method of qualitative analysis in Chinese pragmatic studies is not adequately used compared with those international studies and the frequency of its use is comparatively unstable over the ten years． Moreover，differences also lie in theoretical perspectives，goal orientation and the connection between the chosen methods and research topics． The research findings will shed some light on the Chinese pragmatic research and its methodology in particular．