常虹编著的《现代科技背景下海洋法中的海洋科学研究》从背景介绍开始，首先确认了问题所在；之后以时间为线索系统介绍了在海洋法发展过程中对海洋科学研究活动相关规范的发展进程。其中对《公约》的分析以不同海域划分为基准，针对不同的海域对海洋科学研究的规制也不尽相同；第三部分具体以三类海洋科学研究活动为例，来分析现代海洋法下的海洋科学研究。最后一部分总结性阐述要促进海洋科学研究持续发展不仅需要科学家们的不懈努力，还需要各个国际组织特别是国际法框架下的国际组织不断推动海洋法合理规制海洋科学研究。

Ⅰ. Introduction

 A. Marine Scientific Research in the Era of Marine High-Tech

 B. The International Law of the Sea A Brief Overview

 C. Problem Identification

 D. Research Questions

 E. Structure of the Book

Ⅱ. Marine Scientific Research under the International Law of the Sea

 A. Prior to 1958

 B. 1958 the First UN Conference on the Law of the Sea(UNCLOS I)

1. MSR in the High Seas

2. MSR on the Continental Shelf

 C. The 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 

1. Sovereignty Territorial Sea 

2. Jurisdiction -MSR in the EEZand on the Continenta Shelf

3. Freedom MSR in the Areas beyond National Jurisdiction

4. Hydrographic Surveys

5. 1982 LOS Convention Article 246

 D. Conclusion

Ⅲ. Implementing theMSR Regime in the MarineHigh-Tech Era

 A. Ocean Upwelling

1. Introduction

2. Legal Analysis

3. Conclusion

 B. Voluntary Observing Ships

1. Factual Background

2. Legal Analysis

3. Conclusion

 C. Marine Bioprospecting

1. Factual Background

2. What Is Meant by "Bioprospecting"

3. Legal Assessment

4. Conclusion

Ⅳ.Final Remarks

Bibliography