Mastering the Basic Skill of Investigation and Research

In December 2012, General Secretary Xi Jinping presided over a meeting of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee, which reviewed and approved the Eight-Point Regulation of the Political Bureau of the 18th Central Committee on Improving Work Style and Maintaining Close Ties with the Masses, placing “improving investigation and research” in the first position. In September 2021, at the opening ceremony of a training course for young and middle-aged cadres at the Central Party School (National Academy of Governance), General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: “To understand reality, one must master the basic skill of investigation and research.” In March 2023, the General Office of the Central Committee of the CPC issued the Work Plan on Vigorously Promoting Investigation and Research Throughout the Party, stressing the need to foster a strong atmosphere of investigation and research across the entire Party. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, General Secretary Xi Jinping has delivered a series of important speeches and made a series of important instructions and directives, profoundly elucidating key issues such as what investigation and research is, why it must be valued, and how to conduct it well, providing fundamental guidance for the whole Party to vigorously promote investigation and research and carry out all work effectively.

2012年12月，习近平总书记主持召开中央政治局会议，审议通过《十八届中央政治局关于改进工作作风、密切联系群众的八项规定》，把“改进调查研究”摆在第一位；2021年9月，在中央党校（国家行政学院）中青年干部培训班开班式上，习近平总书记强调：“要了解实际，就要掌握调查研究这个基本功。”2023年3月，中共中央办公厅印发《关于在全党大兴调查研究的工作方案》，强调要在全党大兴调查研究之风。党的十八大以来，习近平总书记发表一系列重要讲话，作出一系列重要指示批示，深刻阐释了什么是调查研究、为什么要重视调查研究、怎样做好调查研究等重要问题，为全党大兴调查研究、做好各项工作提供了根本遵循。

Investigation and research is the concentrated embodiment of the Marxist worldview and methodology, the fundamental requirement of the Party’s ideological line and mass line, and a heirloom of our Party. At present, the profound changes in both the domestic and international arenas, the need to advance and solve new problems encountered in the practice of Chinese-path modernization, the deep-seated issues in reform, development, and stability, and the urgent concerns of the people, all urgently require us to go deep into reality to conduct investigation and research, and to come up with new ideas and new methods that truly solve problems. The whole Party is currently carrying out education and learning activities to thoroughly implement the spirit of the Eight-Point Regulation of the Central Committee, and improving investigation and research is an important part of this. We must deeply understand and practice General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important discourses on investigation and research, master this basic skill, adhere to a problem-oriented approach, and uphold the principle of putting action first, so as to inject strong momentum into comprehensively advancing the building of a strong country and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-path modernization.

调查研究是马克思主义世界观和方法论的集中体现，是党的思想路线和群众路线的根本要求，是我们党的传家宝。当前，国内国际两个大局深刻变化，推进解决中国式现代化实践中遇到的新问题、改革发展稳定存在的深层次问题、人民群众急难愁盼问题等，迫切要求我们深入实际开展调查研究，拿出真正解决问题的新思路新办法。全党正在开展深入贯彻中央八项规定精神学习教育，改进调查研究是其中重要内容。我们必须深入理解和践行习近平总书记关于调查研究的重要论述，掌握调查研究这个基本功，坚持问题导向，坚持干字当头，为以中国式现代化全面推进强国建设、民族复兴伟业注入强劲动力。

I. Investigation and Research is the Concentrated Embodiment of the Marxist Worldview and Methodology

一、调查研究是马克思主义世界观和方法论的集中体现

Dialectical materialism and historical materialism constitute the Marxist worldview and methodology. Regarding what investigation and research is, General Secretary Xi Jinping, from the height of the Marxist worldview and methodology, and from

辩证唯物主义和历史唯物主义是马克思主义的世界观和方法论。关于什么是调查研究，习近平总书记从马克思主义世界观和方法论的高度，从党的思想路线和群众路线的层面，深刻阐明了调查研究的科学内涵和精神实质。

Investigation and research epitomise the Marxist epistemology. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out: “The viewpoint of practice and the viewpoint of life are the basic viewpoints of the Marxist epistemology; practicality is the salient feature that distinguishes Marxist theory from other theories.” Practice — cognition — practice again — cognition again; only through this cyclical and repetitive process can the subjective be brought into conformity with the objective and can cognition be progressively perfected. To achieve this, investigation and research into objective reality are indispensable at every moment. The starting point of cognition is to go deep into practice, carry out investigation and research, obtain raw materials, and acquire perceptual knowledge; then to conduct research on the perceptual materials by discarding the false and retaining the true, discarding the coarse and retaining the refined, so as to form rational knowledge that guides practice; and finally, through the test of practice, to summarise and form conclusions of universal significance. Comrade Mao Zedong pointed out: “All conclusions emerge at the end of investigation, not at its beginning.” The fundamental purpose of investigation and research is to obtain cognition from practice and then transform that cognition into scientific decision-making. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out: “The process of investigation and research is precisely the process of scientific decision-making; it must never be omitted or taken lightly.” Only through in-depth investigation can first-hand materials be grasped; only through serious research can the facts be ascertained and scientific decisions be made. Investigation and research are the basic skill for doing all work well; this is an objective conclusion drawn from applying the Marxist epistemology to practical work. At present, we are in a critical period of further deepening reform comprehensively and advancing Chinese-path modernisation. Without going to the front line of reform and opening up to conduct investigation and research, one cannot feel the urgency and necessity of comprehensively deepening reform; without going to places where contradictions and problems are concentrated to conduct investigation and research, one cannot discover the crux of the problems or find the methods to solve them.

调查研究集中体现了马克思主义认识论。习近平总书记指出：“实践的观点、生活的观点是马克思主义认识论的基本观点，实践性是马克思主义理论区别于其他理论的显著特征。”实践——认识——再实践——再认识，只有经历这个循环往复的过程，才能使主观与客观相符合，使认识日臻完善。而要做到这一点，须臾离不开对客观实际的调查研究。认识的起点是深入到实践中去，展开调查研究，取得原始材料，获得感性认识；然后是对感性材料进行去伪存真、去粗取精的研究，形成指导实践的理性认识；最后经过实践检验，总结形成有普遍意义的论断。毛泽东同志指出：“一切结论产生于调查情况的末尾，而不是在它的先头。”调查研究的根本目的是从实践中获得认识，再将认识转化为科学决策。习近平总书记指出：“调查研究的过程就是科学决策的过程，千万省略不得、马虎不得。”只有通过深入调查，才能掌握第一手材料；只有通过认真研究，才能摸清事实，作出科学决策。调查研究是做好各项工作的基本功，这是把马克思主义认识论运用于实际工作得出的客观结论。当前，我们正处于进一步全面深化改革、推进中国式现代化的关键时期，不深入改革开放的第一线去调研，就感受不到全面深化改革的紧迫性和必要性；不到矛盾和问题集中的地方去调研，就发现不了问题的症结，找不到解决问题的办法。

Investigation and research epitomise the Marxist view of the masses. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out: “People-centeredness is the essential attribute of Marxism; the Party’s theory is a theory that comes from the people, serves the people, and benefits the people; the people’s creative practice is the inexhaustible source of theoretical innovation.” Carrying out investigation and research is precisely following the mass line, because the people are at the forefront of practice, they are the most sensitive to changes in practice, the most deeply perceptive, and also the most intelligent. As long as one goes down to the grassroots and among the people, many problems that have defied solution after much thought can suddenly become clear and answers can be found. We must profoundly recognise that only by going deep among the people through investigation and research, truly discovering the problems the people face, reflecting the people’s opinions, and summarising the experience created by the people, can decisions that conform to objective laws be made.

调查研究集中体现了马克思主义群众观。习近平总书记指出：“人民性是马克思主义的本质属性，党的理论是来自人民、为了人民、造福人民的理论，人民的创造性实践是理论创新的不竭源泉。”开展调查研究就是走群众路线，因为人民群众身处实践最前沿，对实践变化感知最敏感、感受最深切，也最聪慧，只要来到基层、走到人民群众中去，很多百思不得其解的问题就能豁然开朗、找到答案。我们必须深刻认识到，只有通过深入群众调查研究，真正把群众面临的问题发现出来，把群众的意见反映上来，把群众创造的经验总结出来，才能作出符合客观规律的决策。

Investigation and research are a heirloom of our Party. In May 1930, Comrade Mao Zedong led the Fourth Red Army to Xunwu County in Jiangxi Province, where he conducted a comprehensive and detailed investigation of the history and current situation of the politics, economy, culture, society, and various classes. This later resulted in the article “Xunwu Investigation,” which was over 80,000 characters long. While conducting the Xunwu investigation, he also wrote the article “Investigation Work” (later renamed “Oppose Book Worship”), putting forward the classic assertion that “no investigation, no right to speak.” These investigations and research laid a solid foundation for putting forward the correct ideological line, working methods, principles, and policies at a critical juncture in the Chinese revolution, for opening up, consolidating, and expanding the Central Revolutionary Base Area, and for exploring the correct direction of integrating Marxism with China’s actual conditions. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has attached great importance to investigation and research work. General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasised that “investigation and research are the foundation for planning affairs and the way to accomplish things; without investigation, there is no right to speak, and without investigation, there is no right to decide,” “correct decision-making is inseparable from investigation and research, and correct implementation is equally inseparable from investigation and research,” “investigation and research are the source of true knowledge and insight, and the basic skill for doing work well,” and so on. From the Party’s mass line education and practice campaign to the “Three Stricts and Three Honests” special education, from the “Two Studies, One Action” learning and education to the “Remain true to our original aspiration and keep our mission firmly in mind” themed education, from Party history learning and education to the study and implementation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era themed education, and up to the current Party-wide learning and education on thoroughly implementing the spirit of the Eight-Point Regulations of the Central Committee, every intra-Party concentrated education has put forward clear requirements for investigation and research.

调查研究是我们党的传家宝。1930年5月，毛泽东同志率红四军来到江西省寻邬县（今寻乌县），对这里的政治、经济、文化、社会各阶级的历史和现状等情况作了全面细致的调查，后来形成8万多字的《寻乌调查》一文。在进行寻乌调查的同时，他还撰写了《调查工作》（后改名为《反对本本主义》）一文，提出“没有调查，没有发言权”的经典论断。这些调查研究，为在中国革命紧要关头提出正确的思想路线、工作方法、方针政策，为开辟、巩固和扩大中央革命根据地，为探索马克思主义与中国实际相结合的正确方向，打下坚实基础。党的十八大以来，以习近平同志为核心的党中央高度重视调查研究工作。习近平总书记强调，“调查研究是谋事之基、成事之道，没有调查就没有发言权，没有调查就没有决策权”，“正确的决策离不开调查研究，正确的贯彻落实同样也离不开调查研究”，“调查研究是获得真知灼见的源头活水，是做好工作的基本功”，等等。从党的群众路线教育实践活动到“三严三实”专题教育，从“两学一做”学习教育到“不忘初心、牢记使命”主题教育，从党史学习教育到学习贯彻习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想主题教育，到现在全党开展深入贯彻中央八项规定精神学习教育，每一次党内集中教育都对调查研究提出明确要求。

General Secretary Xi Jinping not only advocates fostering a strong atmosphere of investigation and research across the entire Party, but also leads by example and sets a precedent, focusing on major strategies and major decisions, going deep into the grassroots and among the people, with the footsteps of his investigations covering all corners of the country. The series of strategic measures taken in the New Era, the series of transformative practices advanced, the series of breakthrough progress achieved, and the series of landmark accomplishments attained all embody the painstaking efforts and wisdom gained by General Secretary Xi Jinping through taking the lead in investigation and research. From Comrade Mao Zedong’s major proposition of “no investigation, no right to speak” to General Secretary Xi Jinping’s profound assertion that “investigation and research are the heirloom of our Party and the basic skill for doing all work well,” through the Party’s vigorous advocacy and the exemplary role of the Party’s leaders, attaching importance to investigation and research has become the Party’s fine tradition and work style, and vigorously promoting investigation and research has become an important magic weapon for our Party to create a century of great achievements.

习近平总书记不仅倡导要在全党大兴调查研究之风，而且身体力行、率先垂范，聚焦重大战略、重大决策，深入基层、深入群众，调研的脚步走遍了祖国的大江南北。新时代采取的一系列战略性举措，推进的一系列变革性实践，实现的一系列突破性进展，取得的一系列标志性成果，都凝结着习近平总书记带头调查研究付出的心血和获得的智慧。从毛泽东同志提出“没有调查，没有发言权”的重大命题，到习近平总书记作出“调查研究是我们党的传家宝，是做好各项工作的基本功”的深刻论断，经过党的大力倡导和党的领导人的率先垂范，重视调查研究成为党的优良传统和作风，大兴调查研究成为我们党创造百年伟业的重要法宝。

II. Mastering the Basic Skill of Investigation and Research Must Adhere to the Party’s Ideological Line

二、掌握调查研究基本功必须坚持党的思想路线

Seeking truth from facts is an important component of our Party’s ideological line. Comrade Mao Zedong pointed out in his article “Reform Our Study” that “facts” are all things that exist objectively, “truth” is the internal connection of objective things, i.e., their laws, and “seeking” means our act of studying them. Investigation and research are an important pathway for aligning subjective understanding with objective reality, and a golden key for materialists to find answers to problems. Their starting point and ultimate goal are to achieve seeking truth from facts, making various decisions more scientific and more in line with reality. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out, “Only with an attitude of seeking truth

实事求是是我们党的思想路线的重要内容。毛泽东同志在《改造我们的学习》一文中指出，“实事”就是客观存在着的一切事物，“是”就是客观事物的内部联系，即规律性，“求”就是我们去研究。调查研究是使主观认识与客观实际相符合的重要途径，是唯物主义者找寻问题答案的金钥匙。其出发点和落脚点就是为了做到实事求是，使各项决策更加科学、更符合实际。习近平总书记指出，“只有有实事求是的态度才能重视深入实际、了解实际。要了解实际，就要掌握调查研究这个基本功”。调查研究与党的思想路线是内在统一的。

Mastering the basic skill of investigation and research must begin with “seeking facts from reality” (shi shi). “Seeking facts from reality” means proceeding from reality in everything, acknowledging what is one as one and what is two as two, affirming what is right as right and what is wrong as wrong. Some believe that objective facts are simply there, and that a single visit or glance will make them clear; others think that conditions are roughly the same everywhere, so investigating one or two places is sufficient. Such perfunctory, superficial, and cursory false investigation and shallow investigation not only fail to solve problems but also overburden the grassroots. Conducting investigation and research must adhere to a “realistic” work style and seek the truth of objective reality. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out: “Now, all sides attach importance to investigation and research, but greater effort is still needed. The key is to make investigation and research deeper and more solid, avoiding superficiality and formalities.” [5]5 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the National Conference on Party Building Work in Central and State Organs” (November 1, 2019), in *Selected Readings of Xi Jinping’s Works*, Vol. 2, Foreign Languages Press, 2023, p. 260. At present, China’s reform, development, and stability face many deep-seated contradictions and problems. Investigation and research must proceed from objective reality, not with a predetermined conclusion in mind, but insisting that conclusions emerge after investigation and research, based on scientific verification.

掌握调查研究基本功，要从“实事”开始。“实事”就是一切从实际出发，有一是一、有二是二，是就是是，非就是非。有人认为，客观事实摆在那里，只要走一趟、看一眼就清楚了；有人认为各地情况都差不多，调研一两个地方就可以了。如此走马观花、浮光掠影、浅尝辄止的假调研、浅调研，不仅解决不了问题，还让基层不堪重负。开展调研工作务必要坚持“实”的作风，求客观实际之真。习近平总书记指出：“现在，各方面对调查研究是重视的，但还要下更大功夫，关键是把调查研究做深做实，避免浮在表面、流于形式。”当前，我国改革发展稳定面临不少深层次的矛盾和问题，调查研究一定要从客观实际出发，不能带着事先定的调子下去，而要坚持结论产生在调查研究之后，建立在科学论证的基础上。

Mastering the basic skill of investigation and research must closely focus on “seeking truth” (qiu shi) as the ultimate goal. “Seeking truth” means exploring laws and revealing laws; this is the ultimate goal of investigation and research. The first-hand materials obtained through investigation are often fragmentary, yielding only perceptual knowledge. To align the subjective with the objective, effort must also be exerted on “research,” classifying, processing, comparing, and analyzing these materials to identify the laws governing the development of things. Facing the complex and ever-changing international and domestic situation, the new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation, and the new expectations of the people, we must conduct in-depth investigation and research, ascertain the situation, identify the crux of problems, and have a clear picture in mind. We must not make decisions by patting our heads, but truly focus our efforts on ascertaining the real situation, devising practical measures, doing concrete work, and seeking tangible results. Through thorough investigation and research, we can accurately judge the development situation, grasp the principal contradiction in society and the principal aspect of the contradiction, formulate scientific development strategies, and promote economic and social development.

掌握调查研究基本功，要紧盯“求是”这个落脚点。“求是”，即探索规律、揭示规律，这是调查研究的落脚点。调查获得的第一手材料，往往是零碎的，获得的只是感性认识。要使主观与客观相符合，还需要在“研究”上发力，对这些材料进行分类、加工、比较、分析，找出事物发展的规律性。面对纷繁复杂的国际国内形势，面对新一轮科技革命和产业变革，面对人民群众新期盼，我们必须深入开展调查研究，摸清情况，找到症结，做到心中有数，不要拍脑袋决策，而要真正把功夫下到察实情、出实招、办实事、求实效上。通过深入调查研究，准确判断发展情况，抓住社会主要矛盾和矛盾的主要方面，制定科学的发展战略，推动经济社会发展。

III. Mastering the Basic Skill of Investigation and Research Must Adhere to the Party’s Mass Line

三、掌握调查研究基本功必须坚持党的群众路线

“For the masses, relying on the masses, coming from the masses, going to the masses, and turning the Party’s correct propositions into the conscious action of the masses”—this is our Party’s mass line. Investigation and research are highly unified with the Party’s mass line; conducting investigation and research is precisely following the mass line.

“一切为了群众，一切依靠群众，从群众中来，到群众中去，把党的正确主张变为群众的自觉行动”，这是我们党的群众路线。调查研究与党的群众路线是高度统一的，开展调查研究就是走群众路线。

Uphold the people-centered sentiment and firmly stand with the people. General Secretary Xi Jinping has emphasized, “We must take the people’s joys and sorrows as our own, and the people’s hardships and comforts as our own, firmly establishing a people-centered development philosophy,” and “humbly learn from the masses, sincerely be responsible to the masses, warmly serve the masses, and honestly accept supervision by the masses.” [6]6 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Celebration of the 95th Anniversary of the Founding of the Communist Party of China” (July 1, 2016), in *Selected Readings of Xi Jinping’s Works*, Vol. 1, Foreign Languages Press, 2023, p. 137. Conducting investigation and research requires going deep into the grassroots, into the masses, and into reality, sincerely listening to the voices of the masses, truthfully reflecting their wishes, and genuinely caring about their hardships, deeply rooting the growth of political wisdom and the enhancement of governing ability in the people’s creative practice. At the same time, we must be adept at drawing experience from the masses’ practice, wisdom from their opinions, and strength from their creativity, sincerely trusting and relying on the masses, respecting their pioneering spirit, and fully mobilizing and uniting all positive factors.

坚守人民情怀，站稳人民立场。习近平总书记强调，“必须做到以人民忧乐为忧乐、以人民甘苦为甘苦，牢固树立以人民为中心的发展思想”，“虚心向群众学习，真心对群众负责，热心为群众服务，诚心接受群众监督”。开展调查研究，必须深入基层、深入群众、深入实际，真诚倾听群众呼声、真实反映群众愿望、真情关心群众疾苦，把政治智慧的增长、执政本领的增强深深扎根于人民的创造性实践中。同时，善于从群众的实践中汲取经验，从群众的意见中汲取智慧，从群众的创造中汲取力量，真心诚意地相信和依靠群众，尊重群众的首创精神，把一切积极因素充分调动和凝聚起来。

Improve methods for mass work and raise the level of mass work. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out that investigation and research “must persist in going to the masses and to practice, listening to what grassroots cadres and the masses think, urgently need, and hope for, understanding and grasping the real situation, and not engaging in superficial glances, skimming over the surface, becoming complacent with a single insight, or drawing partial conclusions from incomplete evidence.” [7]7 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the National Conference on Party Building Work in Central and State Organs” (November 1, 2019), in *Selected Readings of Xi Jinping’s Works*, Vol. 2, Foreign Languages Press, 2023, p. 260. Good policies, guidelines, and development plans should conform to the people’s will and meet their thoughts and expectations, coming from the masses and going to the masses. Entering the New Era, the principal contradiction in Chinese society has transformed into the contradiction between the people’s ever-growing needs for a better life and unbalanced and inadequate development. Only through in-depth investigation and research, unifying the strengthening of top-level design with persistently seeking advice from the people, and encouraging the broad masses of the people and all sectors of society to offer suggestions and proposals in various ways, can we accurately grasp the new trends and new characteristics of the people’s needs, thereby finding new drivers and new tracks for economic development, and formulating new measures to promote high-quality development.

改进群众工作方法，提高群众工作水平。习近平总书记指出，调查研究“要坚持到群众中去、到实践中去，倾听基层干部群众所想所急所盼，了解和掌握真实情况，不能走马观花、蜻蜓点水，一得自矜、以偏概全”。好的方针政策和发展规划都应该顺应人民意愿、符合人民所思所盼，从群众中来、到群众中去。进入新时代，我国社会主要矛盾已经转化为人民日益增长的美好生活需要和不平衡、不充分的发展之间的矛盾，只有通过深入调查研究，把加强顶层设计和坚持问计于民统一起来，鼓励广大人民群众和社会各界以各种方式建言献策，才能准确把握人民群众需要的新趋势、新特点，从而找到经济发展的新动能、新赛道，制定出推动高质量发展的新举措。

IV. Mastering the Basic Skill of Investigation and Research Must Adhere to Scientific Methods

四、掌握调查研究基本功必须坚持科学的方法

General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out the need to “adhere to a problem-oriented approach, focus on the prominent contradictions and problems facing China’s development, and conduct in-depth investigation and research,” “identify entry points, integration points, and focal points, and conduct investigation and research on the front line,” and “base ourselves on the present while keeping an eye on the long term, enhancing work initiative, proactivity, and creativity,” among other things. [8]8 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the National Conference on Propaganda and Ideology Work” (August 19, 2013), in *Selected Readings of Xi Jinping’s Works*, Vol. 1, Foreign Languages Press, 2023, p. 57. These important expositions provide us with ideas and methods for mastering the basic skill of investigation and research.

习近平总书记指出，要“坚持问题导向，聚焦我国发展面临的突出矛盾和问题，深入调查研究”，“找准切入点、结合点、着力点，深入一线调查研究”，“立足当前、着眼长远，增强工作积极性、主动性、创造性”，等等。这些重要论述，为我们掌握调查研究基本功提供了思路和方法。

Adhere to a solid work style and pure motives. Investigation and research must go deep into the masses and the grassroots, visiting both near and far places, listening to both praise and criticism, and having a clear picture of both foreseeable and unforeseeable situations. Investigation and research are not “photo ops” for leaders and the masses to see; those “show-style investigations, potted-plant-style investigations, and dragonfly-skimming-the-water-style investigations” are manifestations of formalism and bureaucracy, ultimately stemming from an incorrect outlook on political performance and selfish motives. [9]9 “Show-style investigations” (zuoxiu shi diaoyan) refers to investigations conducted primarily for display or photo opportunities rather than genuine inquiry; “potted-plant-style investigations” (penjing shi diaoyan) refers to investigations limited to pre-arranged model sites; “dragonfly-skimming-the-water-style investigations” (qingting dianshui shi diaoyan) refers to superficial investigations that barely touch the surface. Currently, new technologies, new industries, new business forms, and new models are flourishing, and new economic organizations, new social organizations, and new employment groups are constantly emerging. Only by conducting thorough and meticulous investigation and research with a solid work style and pure motives can we formulate effective reform plans, break through institutional and mechanistic obstacles, shatter the barriers of entrenched interests, and provide institutional guarantees for advancing Chinese-path modernization.

坚持扎实的作风、纯正的动机。调查研究要深入群众和基层，近的和远的地方都要去，赞美声和批评声都要听，可以预见和难以预见的情况都要心中有数。调查研究不是让领导和群众看的“摆拍”，那些“作秀式调研、盆景式调研、蜻蜓点水式调研”是形式主义、官僚主义的表现，说到底是政绩观不正、私心杂念在作怪。当前，新技术、新产业、新业态、新模式蓬勃发展，新经济组织、新社会组织和新就业群体不断涌现，只有以扎实的作风、纯正的动机做深入细致的调查研究，才能制定出行之有效的改革方案，破解体制机制的障碍，打破利益固化的藩篱，为推进中国式现代化提供制度保障。

Adhere to a problem-oriented approach. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out: “We must improve our investigation and research capabilities, adhere to a problem-oriented approach, go deep into reality to ascertain the true situation, pool collective wisdom to propose solutions, and strive to make our countermeasures and suggestions targeted and incisive.” [10]10 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the National Conference on Party Building Work in Central and State Organs” (November 1, 2019), in *Selected Readings of Xi Jinping’s Works*, Vol. 2, Foreign Languages Press, 2023, p. 260. Investigation and research must go toward problems, focus on problems, and revolve around solving problems to find countermeasures. On January 26, 2016, at the twelfth meeting of the Central Leading Group for Financial and Economic Affairs, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that in formulating work plans, we must “figure out what the current situation is,” “figure out what the direction and purpose are,” “figure out what exactly needs to be done,” “figure out who will do it,” and “figure out how to do it and what policies and measures to use.” [11]11 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Twelfth Meeting of the Central Leading Group for Financial and Economic Affairs” (January 26, 2016), in *Selected Readings of Xi Jinping’s Works*, Vol. 2, Foreign Languages Press, 2023, p. 267. Understanding and grasping these five “figure out” points greatly benefits our ability to improve investigation and research. On the new journey, new contradictions and new problems emerge endlessly. To make correct judgments and scientific decisions amidst complex and changing objective appearances, we must always adhere to a problem-oriented approach, dare to face problems squarely, be adept at discovering problems, take solving problems as the fundamental purpose, conduct high-quality investigation and research, and thoroughly clarify the forms of manifestation, causes, and harms of problems, distinguishing which are issues of ideology and concepts, which are issues of institutions and mechanisms, and which are issues of insufficient capability. Only then can we identify the focal points and breakthroughs for reform, launch targeted and effective measures, and inject a continuous stream of momentum into Chinese-path modernization through solving problems.

坚持问题导向。习近平总书记指出：“要提高调查研究能力，坚持问题导向，深入实际摸清真实情况，集合众智提出解决办法，努力使对策建议有的放矢、切中要害。”调查研究要奔着问题去，盯着问题来，围绕着解决问题找对策。2016年1月26日，习近平总书记在中央财经领导小组第十二次会议上强调，做好工作方案，要“搞清楚现状是什么”、“搞清楚方向和目的是什么”、“搞清楚到底要干什么”、“搞清楚谁来干”、“搞清楚怎么办，用什么政策措施来办”。领悟和把握好这五个“搞清楚”，对于我们提高调查研究能力大有裨益。新征程上，新矛盾、新问题层出不穷，在复杂多变的客观表象中作出正确判断和科学决策，要求我们始终坚持问题导向，敢于正视问题、善于发现问题，以解决问题为根本目的，开展高质量的调查研究，把问题的表现形式、形成原因和危害性等搞清楚，辨明哪些是思想观念方面的问题、哪些是体制机制的问题、哪些是能力不足的问题，才能找准改革的发力点和突破口，有的放矢推出有效举措，在解决问题中为中国式现代化注入源源不断的动力。

Adhere to the principle of seeking practical results. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out: “If, without thorough investigation and research, one only thinks about introducing new policies and new measures, or even competes to see who can propose more reform measures, without considering whether they conform to reality, this will not only be difficult to achieve results but will also be harmful.” [12]12 Xi Jinping, “Speech at the Central Conference on Economic Work,” December 18, 2017. The original Chinese text is a paraphrase of the cited remark. The key to judging whether investigation and research is done well lies in the practical results of the investigation and research, the application of the research findings, and whether the problems can be effectively solved. One must set aside airs, get down to the grassroots, stay grounded in reality, and understand the actual situation, always ensuring that one “physically enters” but even more so that one “mentally arrives.” [13]13 A four-character idiom (身入心至) meaning to engage both physically and mentally, emphasizing deep personal involvement and sincere commitment. One should go more often to places with complex situations and prominent contradictions to conduct research, and earnestly transform the research results into concrete measures for solving problems and improving work. In the New Era and on the new journey, further deepening reform comprehensively involves a wide range of areas, and major reform measures may affect the whole situation if one part is touched. [14]14 A four-character idiom (牵一发而动全身) meaning that pulling one hair may move the whole body, used to describe a situation where a small change in one part can affect the entire system. To study, consider, and determine the ideas and major measures for comprehensively deepening reform, it will not do to be rigid and inflexible, nor to work behind closed doors, nor to indulge in wild fantasies; [15]15 Three four-character idioms: 刻舟求剑 (carving a mark on the boat to find a lost sword, meaning rigid adherence to outdated methods), 闭门造车 (building a cart behind closed doors, meaning working in isolation from reality), and 异想天开 (indulging in wild fantasies, meaning unrealistic thinking). thorough investigation and research must be conducted, so as to make new contributions to promoting high-quality development with high-quality investigation and research results.

坚持务求实效的原则。习近平总书记指出：“如果不经过充分调研论证，只想着出台新政策新举措，甚至比着看谁出的改革措施多，而不看是否符合实际，这不仅难有成效，而且是有害的。”衡量调查研究搞得好不好，关键要看调查研究的实效，看调研成果的运用，看能否把问题解决好。必须放下架子、扑下身子，接地气、明实情，始终做到“身入”更要“心至”，多到情况复杂和矛盾突出的地方调研，切实把调研成果转化为解决问题、改进工作的实际举措。新时代新征程，进一步全面深化改革涉及面广，重大改革举措可能牵一发而动全身。研究、思考、确定全面深化改革的思路和重大举措，刻舟求剑不行，闭门造车不行，异想天开更不行，必须进行全面深入的调查研究，以高质量的调查研究成果为推动实现高质量发展作出新贡献。

(Author: Professor at the School of Marxism, Central Party School [National Academy of Governance]; Executive Vice President [Vice Chancellor] of the Party School of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Committee of the CPC [Guangxi Academy of Governance])

（作者：中央党校〔国家行政学院〕马克思主义学院教授，中共广西区委党校〔广西行政学院〕常务副校〔院〕长）

Online Editor: Tongxin

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