Conducting Research in China: Impediments and Some Options

Abstract

Among China researchers, those reliant on field studies in the conduct of their research often face the most daunting challenges. While obtaining funding is a first and often major challenge, the trials and tribulations of fieldwork loom ever large. Relying on primary and secondary sources, this paper explores structural and practical impediments to gathering data in China. What factors influence the release of data by Chinese sources? How can researchers improve the likelihood of obtaining meaningful data? The paper begins by exploring the structural-bureaucratic and practical obstacles to data collection in China, and then provides suggestions on how to overcome such challenges. While relying primarily on examples from environmental protection-related research initiatives in China, many of the obstacles encountered and the strategies for overcoming those obstacles can be generalized more broadly to other areas of China research.