Researching Chinese Female Offenders: The Methodology

Abstract

This chapter describes the methodological issues in this study. It explains challenges faced and how I overcame them, as well as ethical considerations and my personal reflections. It also provides an overview of the Chinese penal system to contextualise later discussions. My experience shows that conducting empirical studies into law, crime, and criminal justice in China, although fraught with obstacles, is possible. My personal emotions during the research process have motivated me to write this book and hopefully will continue to inspire my future research.