Exploring China's independent investigation and research methods
2026-06-18
Investigation and research are the foundation of planning and the way to success, the heirloom of our party, and the fundamental skill for doing various tasks well. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that "philosophical and social science workers should step out of the ivory tower, conduct more field investigations and research, understand the living conditions of the people, grasp the pulse of the masses' thoughts, focus on the needs of the masses to clarify doubts and clarify principles, and write knowledge into the hearts of the masses." These important statements have pointed out the direction of progress and provided fundamental guidance for promoting the high-quality development of philosophy and social sciences. In the new era and new journey, Chinese philosophy and social sciences urgently need to promote innovative breakthroughs in research methods, explore the Chinese paradigm of investigation and research, and enhance the "autonomy" and "methodological consciousness" of Chinese scholars. This requires re examining and integrating the social science investigation and research methods of ancient China, the CPC and the West, promoting the release of research methods from the technological cage of scientism, and focusing on embedding historical scenes, strategic vision and civilization height, so as to make it a bridge that can not only stand on local practice, but also dialogue with the world.
The investigation and research methods in ancient China were a unique mode of knowledge production. It does not pursue the accuracy of a specific data, nor does it pursue the so-called scientificity and objectivity, but it has become a unique way of cognition and governance in China for thousands of years. This has important enlightening significance for us to reflect on Western social science investigation and research methods today, and to enhance the autonomy of Chinese investigation and research methods. In order to manage its vast territory, ancient China had a huge administrative and literary system, and they invented various methods to understand the real situation of society. For example, "patrol" starts with "a person holding a wooden stake", and emperors or higher-level officials will voluntarily leave the capital or city, go deep into local or grassroots areas, and carry out inspection, supervision, and assessment work. 'Caifeng' refers to ancient cultural officials or creators who went deep into the folk, collected oral literary works such as local songs and proverbs, and perceived and analyzed local customs, public emotions, and administrative gains and losses from them. It pioneered the use of literary forms for social investigation, closely integrating culture and politics. If "patrol" is a top-down survey, then "statistics" is a bottom-up statistical data analysis. From the Xia and Shang dynasties' "Deng Ren" to later generations' "Huang Che" and "Fish Scale Atlas", "Shang Ji" was an important administrative assessment and information reporting system in ancient China. The central government assessed, rewarded, punished, and formulated or adjusted national policies based on this system. Traveling, as we know it well, is like "reading ten thousand books and traveling ten thousand miles". It can verify literature, increase knowledge, and explore truth. It can comprehensively use various methods such as direct observation, in-depth interviews, physical verification, and personal experience.
The investigation and research methods of the CPC and the investigation and research tradition of ancient China complement each other, forming a unique landscape of research methods. Early Communist Party members, represented by Comrade Mao Zedong, developed rich and unique methods of investigation and research through long-term revolutionary and construction practices. For example, Comrade Mao Zedong emphasized the importance of "no investigation, no right to speak" and wrote classic works such as the "Investigation Report on the Hunan Peasant Movement" and the "Search for Ukraine". Opposing essentialism "advocates that the problem is what it is, and the problem is what it is. Investigators cannot set the tone or set boundaries in advance, but must go to the grassroots to find examples. All conclusions arise at the end of the investigation, not at the beginning. 'Eyes down' emphasizes not to be accompanied by leaders at all levels, not to put on airs, but to be good at listening to the opinions of grassroots cadres and masses, and to learn from them respectfully and honestly. Just looking up at the sky with one's head held high will never truly understand China's affairs in one's lifetime. Dissecting sparrows "is a typical case study method that requires a lot of effort to thoroughly study a place, starting from individual cases, exploring the universal laws of development of things, and discovering universal problems from a small perspective. Eating, living, and working together "is a method of selecting representative regions or units for long-term immersive observation. By tracking and clarifying the problem through the system, only by being friends with the masses, rather than becoming detectives, can we truly understand the masses and represent their interests. The CPC has always stressed that investigation and research should be regarded as a permanent and fundamental working method. Seeking truth from facts is the essence of Marxism, and practice is the only criterion for testing truth. The investigation and research of this "family heirloom" has always been present throughout the various development periods of our party.
The Western social science survey research methods are important tools for analyzing social phenomena and revealing social laws, mainly including questionnaire survey method, experimental research method, in-depth interview method, participatory observation method, case study method, statistical analysis method, etc., highlighting the objectivity, systematicity, and replicability of survey research, and making due contributions to the knowledge accumulation of human society and the discipline construction of social sciences.
We can integrate the social science investigation and research methods of ancient China, the CPC and the West, seek common ground while reserving differences, and then generate China's independent investigation and research methods.
Firstly, seek truth from facts. This is the basic principle and operational standard of investigation and research. Although the investigation and research in ancient China had a certain degree of subjectivity, it particularly emphasized the spirit of traveling thousands of miles, gathering old news, and verifying real objects. The CPC even regards seeking truth from facts as its greatest party spirit, insists on proceeding from reality in everything, adheres to materialism, explores the internal relations of things and the law of their development, and dares to face problems squarely. The research methods of Western social sciences also require scientificity, objectivity, and empiricism. Therefore, our investigation and research must adhere to the basic orientation of "from practice to practice". Investigation and research are not meant to verify or rely on Western theories, but must start from China's vivid historical experience and social practice, and grow the real problems of research from the soil of China's reality.
Secondly, empathize with others. In his later years, Fei Xiaotong emphasized the importance of "empathizing with others" and regarded it as the ethical principle for social science research, which was also the basic posture for entering the field. Chinese traditional culture emphasizes a relationship oriented approach, and empathy is an important way to construct sincere and trusting social relationships. The CPC has even more clearly expressed the people's position, emphasizing coming from the masses and going to the masses. The mainstream research methods in the West also advocate cross-cultural comparison and intersubjectivity. The ideal researcher is not an external expert who observes coldly, but strives to establish trust through shared living, sincere communication, and emotional reciprocity. The core of ethical research, from the Confucian concept of 'entering the world and exploring customs' to the anthropological concept of' understanding others', is respect and reciprocity.
Thirdly, practical application. This is the core value proposition of Chinese survey research methods. In China, investigation and research are not just tools for academic purposes, but must be rooted in the reality of China, respond to social concerns, and serve the needs of the people. This is not only in line with the Confucian spirit of joining the world and the practical reason of saving the world through economy, but also in line with the dialectical relationship between understanding the world and transforming the world that the CPC has always adhered to, and always adhere to the original mission of seeking happiness for the people and rejuvenation for the nation. Our party never conducts investigations and research that hide in small buildings, are aimless, painless, and formalistic. Similarly, the concept of practical application is highly compatible with the problem oriented approach emphasized by mainstream Western research paradigms.
Fourth, a historical perspective. This is a deep understanding of the time dimension of investigation and research, which is related to how to understand the present and whether history is disconnected from the present. Without a historical perspective, the present can only be nodes or slices. The tradition of placing everything in the long river of history is the contribution of Chinese wisdom to world knowledge. The people of the CPC adhere to the guidance of historical materialism, while western research paradigms, such as the almanac school and historical anthropology, also emphasize the unity of diachrony and synchrony, and emphasize the long-term research vision.
Theory and method complement each other. Theoretical autonomy begins with methodological autonomy. Extracting Chinese theory from Chinese experience requires a crucial intermediate step, namely the Chinese approach. Without a method of connection, theory and experience are difficult to connect, often resulting in the phenomenon of "two layers of skin". Therefore, accelerating the construction of an independent knowledge system for Chinese philosophy and social sciences calls for China's independent investigation and research methods. Practical application summons us to enter the fields, empathizing with others allows us to truly enter and understand people in reality, and seeking truth from facts ensures that we grasp facts and discover patterns in our investigations and research. The historical perspective helps us explore the deep logic of Chinese stories, which all refer to investigations and research rooted in the Chinese land and continuing the Chinese cultural context. We should strive to explore China's independent investigation and research methods, accelerate the construction of a philosophy and social science independent knowledge system that does not avoid value positions, does not deviate from practical issues, does not sever historical traditions, and can engage in equal dialogue with the world, has vitality and subjectivity, truly possessing Chinese characteristics, Chinese style, and Chinese style. (Looking into the New Era)
Author: Sha Yao (Researcher at the Institute of Journalism and Communication, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences)
Edit:Luoyu Responsible editor:Jiajia
Source:cssn.cn
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