Abstract:

This article selects themes such as investment in higher education, college faculty management systems, academic career mobility, and the teaching behavior of faculty, and provides a cursory review of the related research literature to roughly outline the trajectory of empirical research in the field of higher education in China. It also explores its significance in the construction of a knowledge system. The fundamental conclusion is that currently, the empirical approach has become the mainstream trend in Chinese higher education research. The themes of this research are closely related to national macro policies and systemic reforms. Therefore, it could be characterized as having a pragmatic empirical orientation. Empirical research that unfolds around the numerous issues arising from systemic changes has led to the production of a wealth of thematic knowledge, but there is still a lack of indigenous theory generation and the construction of an independent knowledge system. Future empirical research should be based on local awareness, drawing from and reflecting upon this, to achieve theoretical innovation and construct a knowledge and discourse system that is internationally recognized, thereby highlighting the international contribution of Chinese higher education research.

Key words: higher education in China, empirical research, systematic literature review, construction of independent knowledge systems