現代亞洲研究發表關于現代亞洲歷史、社會人類學、社會學、政治學和文化的前沿研究文章。《華爾街日報》特別歡迎采用跨學科和比較研究方法的文章，內容涵蓋亞洲所有地區，包括亞洲海洋及其相互聯系。自1967年成立以來，現代亞洲研究專門出版較長的專題論文，其理論主張得到了豐富的實證數據的支持。它還包含大量的概要性評論文章，總結和評論當前的研究領域狀況，并出版特別議題、論壇和圓桌討論會，從多個角度深入探討主題。

Modern Asian Studies publishes cutting-edge research articles on the history, social anthropology, sociology, political science, and cultures of modern Asia. Covering all the regions of Asia, including Maritime Asia, and their interconnections, the journal particularly welcomes articles which deploy interdisciplinary and comparative research methods. Since its inception in 1967, Modern Asian Studies has specialized in the publication of longer monographic essays whose theoretical claims are supported by rich empirical data. It also carries substantial synoptic review essays which summarize and critique the current state of a field of study, and it publishes special issues, forums, and roundtable discussions which explore topical themes in depth and from a number of perspectives.