Without investigation, there is no right to speak.

This famous assertion was put forward by Mao Zedong in his May 1930 essay "Against Dogmatism." At that time, there was a serious tendency toward dogmatism within the Chinese Communist Party. Some comrades, disregarding the actual conditions of the Chinese revolution, mechanically copied Marxist phrases and Soviet experiences. Mao Zedong, addressing this erroneous tendency of being divorced from reality and blindly worshipping books and authority, emphasized the need to conduct thorough investigations and research in practice to truly understand China's national conditions and formulate revolutionary strategies that matched reality.

This statement profoundly reveals the dialectical relationship between cognition and practice. It tells us that any viewpoint or conclusion must be based on thorough investigation and research, and we cannot make assertions based on subjective imagination or hearsay. Investigation and research are the fundamental ways to obtain true knowledge and form correct understanding, as well as effective methods to avoid subjectivism and dogmatism. This assertion not only emphasizes the importance of investigation and research, but also embodies the Marxist ideological line of seeking truth from facts and proceeding from reality in everything.

In May 1930, Mao Zedong conducted a social investigation in Xunwu County, Jiangxi Province for more than 20 days, gaining in-depth understanding of local commerce, handicrafts, land relations, and other conditions. This investigation made him deeply realize the importance of investigation and research for the Chinese revolution. After returning to the Red Army Front Committee station, he wrote the important essay "Against Dogmatism." In the article, he criticized the erroneous tendency of those who "think whatever is in books is right" and "open and close their mouths with books," putting forward the famous assertion "Without investigation, there is no right to speak." The article was originally titled "Investigation Work" and was later renamed "Against Dogmatism" when included in the "Selected Works of Mao Zedong." The Xunwu investigation became a classic case of Mao Zedong practicing this thought and set an example for investigation and research for Chinese Communists.

This statement has had a profound impact on the Chinese Communist Party and China's political life. During the Yan'an Rectification Movement, Mao Zedong once again emphasized the importance of investigation and research, allowing this thought to be widely disseminated and thoroughly implemented throughout the Party. After the founding of New China, investigation and research became the basic method for the Party and government to formulate policies. Since the reform and opening up, this thought has continued to guide the construction of socialism with Chinese characteristics, from the implementation of the household responsibility system in rural areas to the establishment of special economic zones, all reflecting the ideological line of investigation, research, and seeking truth from facts. In the new era, the Party Central Committee has vigorously promoted the practice of investigation and research, promoting the implementation of various reform measures. This statement has also become a classic expression in Chinese political life and is widely quoted in various fields.

To practice this thought in real life, it is necessary to master scientific research methods. First, clarify the purpose of investigation and go deep into reality with problem consciousness. Second, choose appropriate research methods such as questionnaires, in-depth interviews, and field observations, and apply them flexibly according to different situations. Third, ensure the breadth and representativeness of the investigation to avoid generalizing from isolated cases. Fourth, be good at using modern technical means such as big data analysis and online research to improve investigation efficiency. Fifth, pay attention to the application of research results and transform research findings into specific action plans. Sixth, establish a long-term mechanism for investigation and make it an important part of work. For individuals, before making important decisions, sufficient investigation and thinking should be conducted to avoid blindly following trends or subjective assumptions.