现代亚洲研究发表关于现代亚洲历史、社会人类学、社会学、政治学和文化的前沿研究文章。《华尔街日报》特别欢迎采用跨学科和比较研究方法的文章，内容涵盖亚洲所有地区，包括亚洲海洋及其相互联系。自1967年成立以来，现代亚洲研究专门出版较长的专题论文，其理论主张得到了丰富的实证数据的支持。它还包含大量的概要性评论文章，总结和评论当前的研究领域状况，并出版特别议题、论坛和圆桌讨论会，从多个角度深入探讨主题。
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.