The scientist’s investigation covers issues in Plateau, Holocene, Ecology, Archaeology and Pleistocene. His Plateau study combines topics in areas such as Colonization, Upper Paleolithic, Climate change and Monsoon. His Monsoon research integrates issues from Arid and Holocene climatic optimum.

David B. Madsen combines subjects such as East Asian Monsoon, Steppe, Environmental change, Shore and Quaternary with his study of Holocene. His work is dedicated to discovering how East Asian Monsoon, Structural basin are connected with Resource and other disciplines. His Pleistocene research is multidisciplinary, relying on both Loess plateau, Mammal, Domestication, Mesolithic and Qinghai lake.