Introduction

In October 2009, the request to set up a research base on ‘Quality of Life and Public Policy’ in Shandong University was approved. The Centre for Quality of Life and Public Policy (CQLPP) affiliated to the Institute of Statistical Science of the National Bureau of Statistics. CQLPP was one in the first batch of six research bases identified by the National Bureau of Statistics, which stand out among 34 units that submitted a declaration. 

Academic research work of the Centre is led by the School of Political Science and Public Administration (SPS&PA) of Shandong University and in association with the Institute of Statistical Science of the National Bureau of Statistics, the Centre conducts statistical research on major issues concerning national statistics, reforms and developmental initiatives, such as “statistics on livelihood and public policy”. The Research Unit of the CQLPP follow up the implementation of director responsibilities, programmers of the Centre and University. Alongside an Academic Committee constituted at the school level to guide research activities of the centre.

Scientific Research Strength

Currently, the Center has seven Professors (including six Doctoral Tutors), Five Associate Professors (including four Master's Tutors) and nine Lecturers and Teaching Assistants are involved in the research work of the Center. These researchers come from various domestic universities of China including research institutions of Shandong University, Wuhan University, and the National Institute of Statistics. In cooperation with Chinese universities and institutes, the Center stands as a national reference point in teaching and research in public administration, public policy, management, statistics, surveying, as well as in the fields of sociology, and psychology, etc.

Faculty and technical team are committed to enhancing the goals of University and partnering Institutes’ activities. The faculty experience and their outstanding performance in the research of ‘Quality of Life and Public Policy’ extensively renowned and regularly appreciated nationwide as one of the leading academic centres in China. All the research activities of the Center are supported with sound infrastructure and resources of Shandong University. Apart from these, a dedicated library established with more than 20,000 books, over 200 Chinese and international journals. Beside library, the Center has a workstation (laboratory) with over 200 computers, and all the systems are customised with internationally renowned statistical analysis software such as LISEARL, AMOS, HLM, SPSS, etc. has been put into use.

In a scenario where China’s intend to build a “harmonious society”, it has subsequently encouraged the scientific development outlook in the country. Local governments at various levels are required to aware of changes in the society and move away from the blind admiration for greater GDP and seek to explore and implement new ways to improve quality of life in China. Considering the shift in policy, research on subjective well-being in China advanced with the support of National Social Sciences Fund: one programme by the Ministry of Education, and thereby the National Bureau of Statistics lead by Xing Zhanjun.

Based on the Subjective Well-Being Scale for Chinese Citizen (SWBS-CC), the research is prospective and suitable for large-scale surveys. In measuring the well-being of Chinese citizens’ methods such as discriminate analysis, factor analysis and logistic analysis has been extensively studied. The brief of subjective well-being scale for Chinese citizen contains twenty items where the survey of subjective well-being is highly influenced by ten major factors: resource slack, personal self-development, social confidence, self-efficacy of achievement, self-acceptance, interpersonal adaptation, physical health, mental health, family atmosphere and mood instability.

It was testified that the SWBS-CC (brief) has good internal consistency, high reliability, principle validity and structural validity. It was tested and proved that the SWBS-CC (brief) tool could be used as an ideal instrument to study the subjective well-being of the Chinese citizen. Through SWBS-CC measures, the research of Centre is focused on public policy, evaluation of quality life of Chinese residents’ in political life, social life, cultural life, living space and health habitation was constructed.

Professor Xing developed the Subjective Well-being Scale for Chinese Citizens (SWBS-CC) and presided over a large-scale subjective well-being survey research conducted in six different capital cities of China. Xing’s research interest is ‘measuring happiness’ index with a special focus on research of personal well-being (in Chinese).

Since 2002, analysing data of different age groups and occupations of Chinese in the survey and longitudinal studies found that Chinese residents' subjective well-being (SWB) has been changing and new trends are emerging. Some of the dominant factors for change in Chinese decision includes demographic variables that are gender, age, education, skills, work, marriage and income. These empirical findings have significant implications for policy-makers aiming to improve people’s living standards and enhance their subjective well-being.

Contact Us

Centre for Quality of Life and Public Policy (CQLPP),

School of Political Science and Public Administration (SPS&PA),

Shandong University.

Address： Block B of Mingde Building of Shandong University, No. 27, South Shanda Road, Jinan City, Shandong Province, China

Postcode：250100

Tele：0531-88364669