Think about the research question: “Why were the Mongols so influential on the
Ming and Russian Empires?” Develop a plan that addresses how you will approach
the research and manage the work to complete the project. Once you’ve
developed your plan and set realistic goals, conduct research using the historical
inquiry method to locate at least three primary and secondary sources that discuss
the influence Mongols had on the Ming and Russian Empires. Make sure to cite
your primary and secondary sources in MLA format using in-text citations and a
Works Cited page. Use the provided table to organize and manage your research
project.
Research Plan:
1. Define the research question: "Why were the Mongols so influential on the Ming and Russian Empires?"
2. Identify the main factors of Mongol influence: Before starting the research, it is necessary to identify the key areas in which the Mongols had an impact on the Ming and Russian Empires. This can include political, economic, cultural, and military aspects.
3. Conduct preliminary research: To gain a general understanding of the topic and identify potential sources, it is important to conduct preliminary research using reliable secondary sources such as textbooks, academic articles, and online databases. This will help in formulating a research plan and determining where to search for primary sources.
4. Locate primary sources: Primary sources provide direct evidence from the time period and are valuable in understanding the context and perspectives of the Mongols and the affected empires. Possible primary sources can include original documents, books written during the time period, records, letters, diaries, and artifacts. These can be found in libraries, archives, and museums.
5. Locate secondary sources: Secondary sources provide analysis and interpretations of primary sources and can offer different perspectives on the topic. These can include scholarly articles, books, and documentaries. Use databases, libraries, and reputable online sources to find relevant secondary sources.
6. Document and evaluate sources: Create a table to organize the gathered sources, noting their relevance, main arguments, and key pieces of information. Evaluate the credibility and reliability of the sources to ensure their suitability for the research project.
7. Conduct close reading and analysis: Read the selected primary and secondary sources, paying attention to their arguments, evidence, and analysis. Take notes on important points, quotes, and ideas that support the research question.
8. Develop an outline: Based on the gathered information, create an outline that presents the main points, arguments, and evidence that answer the research question.
9. Write the research paper: Using the outline, begin writing the research paper. Clearly state the research question, provide background information, present arguments supported by evidence from primary and secondary sources, and draw conclusions based on the analysis conducted.
10. MLA citation and Works Cited page: Ensure proper MLA in-text citations for both primary and secondary sources throughout the research paper. Create a Works Cited page listing all the sources used in the research paper, following the MLA citation format.
Table for Research Project Management:
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| Source Title | Type | Relevance | Main Arguments | Key Information |
|--------------|--------|-----------|----------------------------|-----------------|
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
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