19
Research
THE University of Hong Kong carried out various research projects during the year.
In the Department of Economics and Political Science, the first official and comprehensive study of the national income of Hong Kong was completed by Mr E. R. Chang under the Govern- ment Fellowship in Economic Statistics established for this purpose. Other research on social and economic problems of east and south- east Asia continued.
The Department of Chinese and the Institute of Oriental Studies conducted research during the year into such subjects as Chinese genealogies and records, Brahmanic influences in Chinese tradition and the compilation of an Oracle Bones Phrase Dictionary. Among publications during the year were works on Chinese history and folk songs while a new Biography of Hung Hsiu-ch'uan will soon be ready for publication.
During the year the Hong Kong Council for Educational Research published the results of works on statistical research methods in education and psychology; the attainment and ability of primary school pupils; the educational, psychological, sociological, and physical aspects of school failure; and the education of handicapped children. A study in guidance and counselling was continued as well as projects in the fields of educational planning and the teaching of English as a foreign language.
Two programmes in language work were begun, the first to try to determine the limits of acceptability of the English of non-native speakers with the help of speech spectrographic analysis; the second to attempt to develop a self-monitoring language laboratory.
The Department of Geography and Geology continued its major research interest in land use in the New Territories. Final-year students began collective work on industrial and architectural land use in association with the Planning Unit of the Government Public Works Department. Other research projects included studies