This article reviewed transport behaviours of electroactive species in ionic compounds, focusing on chemical diffusion of Li through the transition metal oxide in a current flowing condition. For this purpose, a distinction has been first briefly made between migration and diffusion with respect to current, driving force and charge of electroactive species considered. Then, the equations for chemical diffusion are derived theoretically in open-circuit and current flowing conditions. Finally, the experimental methods such as ac impedance spectroscopy and current (potential) transient techniques are described in details for characterising chemical diffusion. In addition, the role of the thermodynamic enhancement factor in chemical diffusion is discussed.