Recently, the first prize of the seventh outstanding achievement award of Chongqing was veiled. Expectation from Empty Villages: Sociological Research on Education of Left-behind Children in Western Areas authored by Professor REN Yunchang of the Research Center won the first prize. The book is the final achievement of the National Social Sciences Foundation project of 2006 “Sociological Research on Education of Left-behind Children in Western Areas” (Grant No. 06XSH001) directed by Professor REN Yunchang. The 505,000-character book was published by China Social Science Press in June 2009. Besides, the book is a companion piece of They Lose on the Starting Line: Study on Problems and Countermeasures of Basic Education in China’s Western Rural Areas (Authored by REN Yunchang, LIN Jian, GU Shenghua, etc. Published by Chongqing Publishing House in June 2005. Awarded the third prize of the fifth outstanding achievement award of Chongqing) - the conclusion report of the key project of national education and science planning.
Expectation from Empty Villages: Sociological Research on Education of Left-behind Children in Western Areas systematically researches problems and countermeasures of the education of left-behind children in western areas with methods relating to sociology, anthropology and culture science. The book contributes to the solution of important practical problems, such as education of left-behind children in rural areas of China, problems of immigrant workers and education in rural areas. It also facilitates the enrichment and development of the qualitative research paradigm of social science in China. The academic value and social influence of the achievement are as follows:
First, the book comprehensively applies the “locust” method and “mole” method in anthropology, subjectivity and objectivity approaches in cultural materialism, and the method of explanatory communication activism in sociology, fully analyzes the rich and complex situations and events in the rural society in western China, and vividly presents the voice and action of research objects, i.e. the vulnerable groups. The strictness, comprehensiveness, effectiveness and flexibility of the research are relatively high in the field of left-behind children research in China.
Second, the book gives several “idea type” cases which can generally explain the education and life of left-behind children. These cases are arranged in books in order of size. The book systematically describes, analyzes and summarizes the education of left-behind children in western areas from different perspectives and levels and concludes a regular cognition in terms of social causes and countermeasures of the problem. The presence and creative practice of the “Ogilvy Law” for qualitative research of social science can provide useful reference for the development of relevant research.
Third, the book is highly appreciated by experts in the same field. In the anonymous review of projects supported by National Social Science Foundation, the book, with a high rank, passed the project conclusion acceptance for the first time. Experts hold that “the research is of great theoretical and practical values...it’s significant in innovation...complete in system...difficult in completion...” “The ‘Ogilvy Law’ proposed and applied in the book promotes the enrichment and development of the qualitative research paradigm of social science in China.” The book also receives high reputation in international academic conferences.
Fourth, the book draws extensive attention and is adopted by relevant government departments. Documents for Review of Research Office of the State Council, Internal Reference of Xinhua News Agency and relevant documents of Chongqing municipal Party committee and municipal government adopted partial content of the book. Many media including Xinhua News Agency, Workers Daily, Chongqing Daily, Chongqing Times, Chongqing Commercial Daily, Times and Truth News, and Chongqing Youth Daily paid extensive attention to some of the achievements. Respected publications like China Education Daily, China Education: Research and Review and Journal of The Chinese Society of Education published some of the achievements.
During compilation of the book, strong supports were provided by leaders of Chongqing Federation of Social Science Circles, Party and government leaders of the university, Scientific Research Office, the Literature and Media Department. Academic guidance was received from units including East China Normal University, Beijing Normal University, Southwest University, Chongqing Technology and Business University, Chongqing Institute of Education Science and Chongqing Nanchuan District Research Center of Education Science, and relevant scholars. Filed investigations were carried out with assistance of teaching and research experts and leaders of the education commission from Guizhou, Xinjiang, Ningxia, Guangxi, etc.
