Mastering the Basic Skill of Investigation and Research

Investigation and research are the foundation of planning and the path to success. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the Party Central Committee has attached great importance to investigation and research work. The first article of the Eight-Point Regulations of the Central Committee is to improve investigation and research. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out, “Investigation and research are the basic skill for doing work well. One must learn investigation and research and improve one’s work ability through investigation and research. Investigation and research should be regularized. One must persist in going to the masses and going to practice,” and “Investigation and research must be taken as a basic skill, going deep into the grassroots, deep into the masses, deep into reality, understanding the situation, and seeking advice from the people.” [1]1 "Exchange, comparison, and repetition" (交换、比较、反复) is a methodological principle for investigation and research, emphasizing the need to exchange information, compare different viewpoints, and repeatedly deliberate before forming conclusions. These important expositions have pointed out the direction and provided the guidelines for Party members and cadres to master the basic skill of investigation and research and to inherit this heirloom of investigation and research. On the new journey, we must effectively master the basic skill of investigation and research, identify the foothold, focus, and entry point of investigation and research work, continuously improve the quality of investigation and research, and achieve greater breakthroughs and demonstrate greater achievements in promoting the further comprehensive deepening of reform.

调查研究是谋事之基、成事之道。党的十八大以来，党中央高度重视调查研究工作。中央八项规定的第一条，就是要改进调查研究。习近平总书记指出，“调查研究是做好工作的基本功。一定要学会调查研究，在调查研究中提高工作本领。调查研究要经常化。要坚持到群众中去、到实践中去”“要把调查研究作为基本功，深入基层、深入群众、深入实际，了解情况、问计于民”。这些重要论述，为党员干部掌握好调查研究这个基本功，传承好调查研究这个传家宝，指明了方向、提供了遵循。新征程上，我们要切实掌握好调查研究这个基本功，找准调查研究工作的立足点、着力点和切入点，不断提升调查研究质量，在推动进一步全面深化改革中取得更大突破、展现更大作为。

Dedicated to seeking truth. Investigation and research aim to obtain the truth and explore laws, so that the subjective conforms to the objective, thereby solving real problems and truly solving problems. So-called real problems are objective existences that have value and need to be understood and solved; so-called truth is the real national and social conditions, social expectations, mass wisdom, and grassroots experience. Dedicated to seeking truth requires running the principle of seeking truth from facts and the style of being realistic and pragmatic through all aspects and the entire process of investigation and research, truly achieving not only relying on books, not only relying on superiors, but only relying on reality. We must carry forward the style of being realistic and pragmatic, making efforts in seeking depth, seeking reality, seeking detail, seeking accuracy, and seeking effectiveness, strictly avoiding “going through the motions” and “going through the formalities,” [2]2 The "Work Plan on Vigorously Promoting Investigation and Research Throughout the Party" (《关于在全党大兴调查研究的工作方案》) was issued by the General Office of the CPC Central Committee in March 2023, mandating investigation and research as a basic work method for all Party members and officials. being adept at using “telescopes” to look far ahead, and also skillfully using “microscopes” to magnify and look; after looking at the “front door and windows,” we must also deeply explore the “backyard and corners,” be able to drink “big bowl tea,” often sit on “small benches,” listen to public opinion that is “still steaming,” grasp the real situation that is “stained with soil,” and find real problems that are “still covered with dew.” [3]3 This quotation is from Mao Zedong's 1941 essay "Preface and Postscript to 'Rural Surveys'" (《〈农村调查〉的序言和跋》). We must resolutely “prevent flock-style investigation and show-style investigation,” [4]4 The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC (党的二十届三中全会) was held in July 2024, focusing on further deepening reform comprehensively to advance Chinese-Path modernization. listen not only to the masses’ pleasant words but also to their unpleasant words, thoroughly discuss the “surface and inside” of matters, deeply find and analyze the “roots and sources” of problems, accurately grasp and thoroughly understand the actual situation, and find methods and countermeasures to solve problems.

致力于求真。调查研究为的是求得真相、探寻规律，使主观与客观相符合，进而解决真问题、真解决问题。而所谓真问题，就是具有价值且需要被认识和被解决的客观存在；所谓真相，就是真实的国情社情、社会期盼、群众智慧、基层经验。致力于求真，就要把实事求是的原则和求真务实的作风贯穿调查研究全过程各方面，真正做到不唯书、不唯上、只唯实。发扬求真务实作风，在求深、求实、求细、求准、求效上下功夫，力戒“做样子”“走过场”，既善用“望远镜”朝远看，也巧用“显微镜”放大看；看完“前门、窗口”，还要深探“后院、角落”，能喝“大碗茶”、常坐“小板凳”，倾听“冒着热气”的民意、掌握“沾着泥土”的真情况、寻找“带着露珠”的真问题。坚决“防止扎堆调研、作秀式调研”，既听群众顺耳话，也听百姓逆耳言，谈深说透事情的“表与里”，找深剖透问题的“根与源”，把实际情况摸准摸透，找到解决问题的办法和对策。

Manifested in practice. Practice, cognition, re-practice, re-cognition—this form, cycling repeatedly ad infinitum—is the basic viewpoint of Marxist epistemology and an effective way to obtain truthful knowledge. Doing investigation and research well is not easy; where to look, what to look at, how to look, whom to talk to, what to talk about, and how to talk—all these involve great knowledge. In the process of investigation and research, one must never be like a frog at the bottom of a well, taking things for granted while shut in an office, but must go deep into the front line and into reality. It should be recognized that investigation and research is not about issuing documents to the grassroots to request materials, nor is it about delegating tasks layer by layer to collect data or “fill in forms.” [5]5 The "Decision" (《中共中央关于进一步全面深化改革、推进中国式现代化的决定》) is a key policy document adopted at the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee, outlining comprehensive reform measures for the New Era. We should adopt the method of “four no’s and two direct’s,” [6] with the attitude of “squatting down to see the ants clearly” and the determination to “thrust the pole through to the end,” [7] actively go deep into the grassroots

见诸实践。实践、认识、再实践、再认识，这种形式，循环往复以至无穷，这是马克思主义认识论的基本观点，也是获取真理性认识的有效途径。搞好调查研究并不容易，去哪里看、看什么、怎么看，找谁谈话、谈什么、怎么谈，都大有学问。在调研过程中，决不能坐井观天，关在办公室里想当然，而是要深入一线、深入实际。应当认识到，调查研究不是给基层发文件索要材料，更不是层层下派要数据、“填表格”。应当采取“四不两直”的方式，用“蹲下去看清蚂蚁”的态度，“一竿子插到底”的决心，主动深入基层，既到工作局面好和先进的地方去总结经验，又到群众意见多、工作做得差、情况复杂、矛盾尖锐的地方去调查研究。敢于接“烫手的山芋”、挑“最重的担子”、啃“最硬的骨头”，在科学调研基础上谋到关键处，提出切实可行的解决办法。

Emphasizing scientific methods. Methods are the bridge and boat for crossing the river. It is not enough to merely emphasize action without methods; "a single clever move outweighs a thousand pounds of effort," and good methods yield twice the result with half the effort. Whether the object and content of investigation and research are comprehensive and systematic, and whether the methods and means are thorough and appropriate, determine the depth of our understanding of objective things and the scientific nature of our decision-making. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "We must make good use of the methods of exchange, comparison, and repetition, attach importance to listening to opinions from all sides, including minority opinions and opposing opinions, conduct three-dimensional analysis, think thrice before acting, and prevent self-righteousness and complacency over a single gain." [1]1 "Exchange, comparison, and repetition" (交换、比较、反复) is a methodological principle for investigation and research, emphasizing the need to exchange information, compare different viewpoints, and repeatedly deliberate before forming conclusions. The "Work Plan on Vigorously Promoting Investigation and Research Throughout the Party" issued by the General Office of the CPC Central Committee states: "We must adapt measures to local conditions, comprehensively utilize methods such as symposium interviews, random visits, questionnaire surveys, expert surveys, sample surveys, and statistical analysis, fully employ modern information technologies such as the internet and big data to conduct investigation and research, and improve scientific rigor and effectiveness." [2]2 The "Work Plan on Vigorously Promoting Investigation and Research Throughout the Party" (《关于在全党大兴调查研究的工作方案》) was issued by the General Office of the CPC Central Committee in March 2023, mandating investigation and research as a basic work method for all Party members and officials. To conduct high-quality investigation and research, different research methods should be adopted according to the different tasks and requirements of the research, skillfully combining micro-investigation with macro-investigation, qualitative analysis with quantitative analysis, and gathering scattered situations and understandings, discarding the dross and selecting the essential, eliminating the false and retaining the true, penetrating phenomena to grasp the essence, clarifying the situation and pinpointing the problems, and then analyzing the mechanisms and principles to solve the problems.

讲求科学方法。方法是过河的桥和船。光讲行动不讲方法不行，“一巧胜千斤”，好方法事半功倍。调查研究的对象、内容是否全面系统，方法、手段是否全面到位，决定了我们对客观事物认知的程度以及进行决策的科学程度。习近平总书记指出：“要用好交换、比较、反复的方法，重视听取各方面意见包括少数人的意见、反对的意见，立体式地进行分析、三思而后行，防止自以为是、一得自矜。”中共中央办公厅印发的《关于在全党大兴调查研究的工作方案》提出：“要坚持因地制宜，综合运用座谈访谈、随机走访、问卷调查、专家调查、抽样调查、统计分析等方式，充分运用互联网、大数据等现代信息技术开展调查研究，提高科学性和实效性。”高质量开展调查研究，应根据调研任务和要求的不同，采用不同的调研方法，善于把微观调查和宏观调查结合起来，把定性分析和定量分析结合起来，把零散的情况和认识集聚起来，去粗取精、去伪存真，透过现象看本质，把情况摸清、把问题找准，进而研机析理、解决问题。

Seeking guidance from the masses. Conducting investigation and research is precisely following the mass line; it is an effective method for asking the people about their needs, seeking advice from the people, gathering public opinion, and winning the people's hearts. Comrade Mao Zedong pointed out: "The masses are the real heroes, while we ourselves are often childish and ignorant; without understanding this, it is impossible to acquire even the most rudimentary knowledge." [3]3 This quotation is from Mao Zedong's 1941 essay "Preface and Postscript to 'Rural Surveys'" (《〈农村调查〉的序言和跋》). Over the past hundred-plus years, the fundamental reason why our Party has been able to lead the people to achieve great accomplishments that have attracted worldwide attention is that it has always adhered to putting the people first and gathered the wisdom and strength of the masses into overcoming difficulties and seeking development. The "Decision of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Further Deepening Reform Comprehensively to Advance Chinese-Path Modernization," reviewed and approved at the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC, [4]4 The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC (党的二十届三中全会) was held in July 2024, focusing on further deepening reform comprehensively to advance Chinese-Path modernization. emphasizes "improving the quality of investigation and research" and "following the Party's mass line well in the New Era, fully absorbing social expectations, the wisdom of the masses, expert opinions, and grassroots experience into the reform design." [5]5 The "Decision" (《中共中央关于进一步全面深化改革、推进中国式现代化的决定》) is a key policy document adopted at the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee, outlining comprehensive reform measures for the New Era. To conduct investigation and research well, we must always adhere to the principal position of the people, care about the joys and sorrows of every household, approach the masses with a sincere and humble heart, respect the will of the people, learn from the people as teachers to gain true knowledge, and draw wisdom from the practice of the masses. Adhering to the people-centered development philosophy, we should frequently go to places with many difficulties, where the masses' opinions are concentrated, and where work is at a standstill, sit on the same bench with the common people for heart-to-heart talks, gather around the same table with the masses to pool wisdom, transform the good ideas and methods obtained from investigation into concrete measures to promote work, and promptly elevate high-quality investigation results into decision-making and deployment, truly guiding work, solving problems, and promoting development.

问道人民群众。开展调查研究就是走群众路线，是问需于民、问计于民、聚拢民意得民心的有效办法。毛泽东同志指出：“群众是真正的英雄，而我们自己则往往是幼稚可笑的，不了解这一点，就不能得到起码的知识。”百余年来，我们党之所以能够领导人民取得举世瞩目的伟大成就，根本原因在于始终坚持人民至上，把群众智慧和力量汇聚到攻坚克难谋发展上来。党的二十届三中全会审议通过的《中共中央关于进一步全面深化改革、推进中国式现代化的决定》强调“提高调研质量”，“走好新时代党的群众路线，把社会期盼、群众智慧、专家意见、基层经验充分吸收到改革设计中来”。开展好调查研究，应始终坚持人民主体地位，心系万家忧乐，带着一颗真心虚心，深入群众中，尊重人民意愿，拜人民为师获得真知，从群众的实践中汲取智慧。坚持以人民为中心的发展思想，多到困难多、群众意见集中、工作打不开局面的地方去，同百姓坐一条板凳推心置腹，与群众围一张桌子集思广益，将调研得来的好思路、好方法转化为推动工作的具体措施，将高质量调研成果及时上升为决策部署，真正指导工作、破解难题、推动发展。

(Author: Li Xiuduo, Associate Professor at the School of Marxism, Sichuan Tourism University)

（作者：李秀铎，系四川旅游学院马克思主义学院副教授）

Online Editor: Tongxin

网络编辑：同心