Foundations: Islamic Empires: Home

Your Research Process

1. Start with REFERENCE SOURCES: These resources will give you a broad overview of your subject and will allow you to better understand where the specific information you find later fits in the bigger picture.

2. Go deeper with SECONDARY SOURCES: Also known as monographs, these books will have more specific information about aspects of your topic. 

3. Find and interpret PRIMARY SOURCES: Primary sources are things produced in the historical time period being studied. These can range from the written word to artwork, coins, tools, and even everyday household objects. Interpreting primary sources will require the background knowledge gained through your reference and monograph research.

4. Find IMAGES to engage your presentation audience: During your presentation, your words should be the focus, but sometimes an added picture really is worth 1000 words!

5. Supplement with WEBSITES: Whenever you venture out on the internet, you need to carefully ensure the information you are finding is reliable. Ask yourself Who produced it, What are their qualifications, and Why they created what you are finding (including who funded it).