本項研究計畫命名為「《爾雅．釋親》之親屬稱謂制與殷商親屬稱謂制之比較研究」。其工作的旨要乃在將〈釋親〉一篇所記載的、中國古代的親屬稱謂制，與記載於殷商甲金文本的、商人的親屬稱謂制，作1.兩系統個別親稱2.兩系統親稱所顯示的親屬體系， 3.兩系統親稱所顯示的婚姻制度，等三方面作比較研究。經由親稱、宗族(或繼嗣)、和婚制三方面的比較，當可發見〈釋親〉親屬體系，與商殷親屬體系的、年代早晚的相對關係，暨兩者之間在制度上的傳承或演化關係，從而可以去正確的掌握中國古代親屬制度的發展和演變進程。執行本研究計畫所採行的研究方法約有四：1.結構成分分析法，2.現代古文字學之驗證及考證法，3.西方社會科學術語之表述法，4.親屬稱謂之內部構擬法。由於之前中外學者透過《爾雅．釋親》研究所得的、中國上古時代的親制和婚制現象，已成為人類學中婚姻論述的理論依據之一；現在加上與商甲金文中資料的對比，可令學者對中國上古的親制、婚制的演變，和年代相對關係方面的掌握能更加精進，正確；這可說是繼前賢之後，身為漢學工作者對國際學術再一次的作出了極有價值的貢獻。
This research project is named ‘A comparative Study on the Kinship and Kinship Terminology Systems as Seemed on the Er-ya．Shi-qing and on the Shang Inscriptional Records.’The project compares the individual kinship terms, the kinship and marriage systems as reflected by these individual terms from both texts. Through the studies of terminologies, kinship organizations (or descent groups) and marriage institutions of the two texts’ systems, makes possible the correct dating of the upper time limit of the Shi-qing kinship system and its correlation with the Shang kinship system. Thereby can one make correct observation on the institutional change of ancient Chinese kinship and marriage systems. The methodologies applied in this research project includes: 1. structural and componential analysis, 2.modern technology of etymological examination, 3.application of social science terminology, 4. the method of internal reconstruction of kinship systems. Since the ancient Chinese kinship and marriage system as shown on the Er-ya．Shi-qing and as elucidated by former scholars have long become part of the empirical basis for modern anthropological marital theories, the result of this research project will enhance the expertise thereof, and shall constitute another significant contribution from sinology to the world scholarship.
