Improving Investigation and Research Should Emphasize Methods and Approaches

Investigation and research are the foundation of planning and the path to success; they are the heirloom of our Party and the basic skill for doing all work well. Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, General Secretary Xi Jinping has attached great importance to investigation

调查研究是谋事之基、成事之道，是我们党的传家宝，是做好各项工作的基本功。党的十八大以来，习近平总书记高度重视调查研究工作，多次就做好调查研究工作发表重要讲话、作出重要指示，系统回答了新时代为什么要调查研究、调查研究什么、如何开展调查研究等重大理论和实践问题。中央八项规定第一条，就是要改进调查研究。新征程上，不断把调查研究做深做实，对于加强党的作风建设、提高党的领导水平和长期执政能力具有十分重要的意义。

Strengthen problem awareness, adhere to a problem-oriented approach

增强问题意识，坚持问题导向

General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out, “We must take the lead in doing a good job of investigation and research, go deep into reality and among the masses, strengthen problem awareness, and truly get a clear picture of the situation, identify problems accurately, and put forward practical countermeasures.” [1]1 Xi Jinping, speech at the meeting on the study and implementation of the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the CPC, October 2022. Problems are the aphorisms of the times, the most realistic voice expressing the inner state of the times themselves. Investigation and research are a kind of social practice in which the subjective is seen in the objective; their very purpose is to discover problems, analyze problems, and solve problems.

习近平总书记指出，“要带头抓好调查研究，深入实际、深入群众，增强问题意识，真正把情况摸清、把问题找准、把对策提实”。问题是时代的格言，是表现时代自己内心状态最实际的呼声。调查研究是一种主观见之于客观的社会实践活动，本身就是为了发现问题、分析问题、解决问题。

Get a clear picture of the situation. Going deep into reality is the prerequisite for understanding the laws of development of human society. In carrying out investigation and research, the primary task is to grasp comprehensive, truthful, rich, and vivid first-hand materials, and to understand the causes and effects, the ins and outs of matters. In particular, we must insist that conclusions are drawn after investigation and research, put an end to preconceived thinking, and, regarding the real situations and various problems learned through investigation, call a spade a spade.

把情况摸清。深入实际是认识人类社会发展规律的前提。开展调查研究，首要任务是掌握全面、真实、丰富、生动的第一手材料，了解事情的前因后果、来龙去脉。特别是要坚持结论产生在调查研究之后，杜绝先入为主思维，对调查了解到的真实情况和各种问题，有一是一、有二是二。

Identify problems accurately. Problems are the forms of expression of contradictions in things. To identify problems accurately, it is necessary to properly grasp the relationship between the principal contradiction and secondary contradictions, and between the principal aspect and the secondary aspect of a contradiction, giving priority to resolving the principal contradiction and the principal aspect of the contradiction, thereby driving the resolution of other contradictions. In practice, accurately identifying problems also requires repeated review, using the method of dissecting a sparrow [2]2 “Dissecting a sparrow” (解剖麻雀) is a Chinese idiom referring to in-depth analysis of a typical case to understand a general pattern., analyzing positive and negative typical cases, drawing inferences about other cases from one instance, truly identifying the problems faced by the masses, reflecting the opinions of the masses, and summarizing the experience created by the masses.

把问题找准。问题是事物矛盾的表现形式。找准问题需要注意把握好主要矛盾和次要矛盾、矛盾主要方面和次要方面的关系，优先解决主要矛盾和矛盾的主要方面，以此带动其他矛盾的解决。实践中，找准问题还需要反复复盘，以解剖麻雀的方式，剖析正面和反面典型案例，举一反三，真正把群众面临的问题识别出来，把群众的意见反映上来，把群众创造的经验总结出来。

Put forward practical countermeasures. The key to evaluating whether investigation and research are done well lies in looking at the actual results of the investigation and research, and at the application of the research findings. To this end, attention should be paid to the transformation and application of research results, effectively transforming research results into practical measures for solving problems and improving work, preventing situations where there is more investigation than research, more description of situations than analysis, and where the countermeasures and suggestions put forward are vague, abstract, and do not solve practical problems. For research results that have been fully studied and are relatively mature, they should be promptly elevated to decision-making and deployment, and transformed into concrete measures; for research results that have not yet been thoroughly studied, opinions should be listened to more deeply, and they should be improved before implementation; for measures that have already been formed and implemented on the ground, timely follow-up evaluation should be carried out, and adjustments and optimizations made depending on the situation.

把对策提实。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。为此，应注重调研成果的转化运用，切实把调研成果转化为解决问题、改进工作的实际举措，防止调查多研究少、情况多分析少，提出的对策建议大而化之、空洞抽象、不解决实际问题。对经过充分研究、比较成熟的调研成果，及时上升为决策部署，转化为具体措施；对尚未研究透彻的调研成果，应当更深入地听取意见，完善后再付诸实施；对已经形成举措、落实落地的，则应及时跟踪评估，视情况调整优化。

Establish a systems concept, emphasize scientific methods

树立系统观念，讲求科学方法

Investigation and research is a comprehensive task, presenting a complete process; it is necessary to adhere to a systems concept, emphasize scientific methods, and correctly handle various relationships.

调查研究是一个综合性的工作，呈现出一个完整的过程，必须坚持系统观念、讲求科学方法，正确处理好各种关系。

The unity of “physical presence” and “mental engagement.” “Physical presence” is the prerequisite for carrying out investigation and research, while “mental engagement” is the key to doing it well. To carry out high-quality investigation and research, one must have feelings for the masses, with full enthusiasm, the determination to look downward, and a thirst for knowledge, achieving on-site observation, face-to-face listening, direct questioning, and thoughtful consideration, truly regarding oneself as a member of the masses and the affairs of the masses as one’s own, filled with genuine feelings and a sense of responsibility towards the people.

“身入”和“心到”相统一。“身入”是开展调查研究的前提，“心到”则是做好调查研究的关键。高质量开展调查研究，就要对群众有感情，怀着满腔的热忱、眼睛向下的决心、求知的渴望，做到现场看、当面听、直接问、用心想，真正把自己当作群众的一员、把群众的事当作自己的事，满怀对人民群众的真情实感和责任担当。

The unity of on-site investigation and online investigation. Our Party has formed many effective investigation and research methods in long-term practice, such as visit surveys, stationing surveys, typical surveys, field inspections, and symposium discussions; these methods should continue to be inherited and improved in the New Era. At the same time, it is necessary to adapt to the characteristics of informatization and networking, make full use of big data and the internet, further enrich research means and innovate research methods, and use methods such as online surveys, statistical surveys, and sample surveys to understand public opinion and respond to concerns.

现场调查和网络调查相统一。我们党在长期实践中形成了许多行之有效的调查研究方法，如走访调查、蹲点调查、典型调查、实地考察、座谈研讨等，这些方法要在新时代继续加以继承和完善。同时，也要适应信息化网络化的特点，充分利用大数据、互联网，进一步丰富调研手段、创新调研方式，运用好网络调查、统计调查、抽样调查等方式了解民意、回应关切。

The unity of investigation and research. Investigation and research includes two links: investigation and research. Looking at the actual situation of carrying out investigation and research, in practice there are problems of insufficient investigation, and also problems of insufficient research. It should be fully recognized that investigation is the premise and foundation of research, and research is the continuation and deepening of investigation; the purpose of investigation is to better conduct research, and research is to better solve problems. Only after investigation, through in-depth and meticulous thinking, repeated comparison, in-depth discussion, moving from one to the other and from the surface to the core, discarding the dross and selecting the essential, eliminating the false and retaining the true, can the essential laws of things be found, and the countermeasures and suggestions put forward can solve practical problems.

调查和研究相统一。调查研究包括调查与研究两个环节。从开展调查研究的实际情况看，实践中存在调查不够的问题，也存在研究不够的问题。应当充分认识到，调查是研究的前提和基础，研究是调查的继续和深化；调查的目的是更好地进行研究，研究则是为了更好地解决问题。调查之后只有进行深入细致的思考，反复比较、深入研讨，由此及彼、由表及里，去粗取精、去伪存真，才能找到事物的本质规律，提出的对策建议才能解决实际问题。

Improve work style, strive to avoid formalism

改进工作作风，力戒形式主义

The “Work Plan on Vigorously Promoting Investigation and Research Throughout the Party” issued by the General Office of the CPC Central Committee states in its “Work Requirements” that “we must strive to avoid formalism and bureaucracy, refrain from showy, potted-plant-style, and dragonfly-skimming-the-water-style investigations, and prevent going through the motions and not going deep.” [3]3 The “Work Plan on Vigorously Promoting Investigation and Research Throughout the Party” was issued by the General Office of the CPC Central Committee in March 2023. To do a good job of investigation and research, it is necessary to improve the work style and eradicate the chronic disease of formalism.

中办印发的《关于在全党大兴调查研究的工作方案》在“工作要求”中提出，“要力戒形式主义、官僚主义，不搞作秀式、盆景式和蜻蜓点水式调研，防止走过场、不深入”。做好调查研究工作，必须改进工作作风，破除形式主义痼疾。

Select topics precisely, do not “follow the trend.” “Sharpening the axe will not delay the cutting of firewood.” [4]4 A Chinese proverb meaning that proper preparation saves time and effort. Topic selection is the foundation for whether research work can achieve practical results; if the topic is well chosen, half the battle is won. To make sustained efforts in precisely determining research topics, it is necessary to use the five-character formula of “deep, solid, detailed, accurate, effective” [5]5 The “five-character formula” (深、实、细、准、效) refers to Xi Jinping’s requirements for investigation and research: deep, solid, detailed, accurate, and effective., clarify intentions, highlight key points, strike directly at the crux, go straight to the problem, clearly understand the urgent difficulties and worries of the people, clearly understand the prominent problems urgently needing resolution at the grassroots level, focus on the blockages, stagnation points, and difficulties in work, be busy on the key points, plan at the crucial points, and carry out investigation and research in a targeted manner.

精准选题，不能“跟风”。“磨刀不误砍柴工”。选题是调研工作能否取得实效的基础，选题选好了就向成功迈出了一半。在精准确定调研选题上持续发力，就要用好“深、实、细、准、效”五字诀，明确意图、突出重点、直击要害，直奔问题去，弄清楚人民群众的急难愁盼，弄清楚基层亟待解决的突出问题，聚焦工作中的堵点淤点难点，忙在点子上，谋在关键处，有针对性地开展调查研究。

Take the initiative, do not “leak information” beforehand. The purpose of carrying out investigation and research is to hear the truth and observe the real situation, to summarize experience, find problems, and seek countermeasures. To this end, it is necessary to take the initiative in research, carry out real research with problems in mind, prevent “performative” research, and avoid turning research into a sightseeing tour. Methods such as “four noes and two straights” [6]6 “Four noes and two straights” (四不两直) is a method of unannounced inspection: no greeting, no notification, no report, no escort; go straight to the grassroots, go straight to the scene. can be used to bypass “carefully prepared” arrangements, increase “self-selected actions,” go deep into investigating places that have not been prepared, study more problems that have not yet been clarified, strive to understand the situation accurately, comprehensively, and thoroughly, and truly get a thorough and solid grasp of the situation.

掌握主动，不先“放风”。开展调查研究的目的是听真话、察真情，是为了总结经验、查找问题、寻求对策。为此，必须掌握调研的主动性，带着问题开展真调研，防止“表演式”调研，将调研变成参观。可以通过“四不两直”等方式，避开“精心准备”，增加“自选动作”，深入调查一些没有做准备的地方，多研究一些尚未摸清楚的问题，力求准确、全面、透彻地了解情况，真正把情况摸透摸实。

Travel light, do not put on “airs.” Only by setting aside one’s airs and getting down to the grassroots can one gain the trust of the people, enhance feelings for the people, and hear genuine voices. In accordance with the requirements of traveling light, reducing accompaniment, and simplifying reception, the form of research should be simplified, frugality should be adhered to, multi-level accompaniment should not be arranged, special treatment should not be given, the burden on grassroots people should not be increased, the people should be taken as teachers, one should be willing to be a primary school student, seek wisdom from the people and ask the people for advice, and return to the essence of research.

轻车简从，不耍“威风”。放下架子、扑下身子，才能取得人民群众信任，增进与人民群众的感情，听到真实的声音。应按照轻车简从、减少陪同、简化接待的要求，简化调研形式，坚持厉行节约，不搞层层陪同，不搞特殊化，不增加基层群众的负担，拜人民为师，甘当小学生，求智于民、问计于民，回归调研本真。

(Author: Zhao Yong, Distinguished Researcher of the Beijing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era Research Center, Senior Editor of the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences)

（作者：赵勇，系北京市习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想研究中心特约研究员、北京市社会科学院编审）

Online Editor: Tongxin

网络编辑：同心