ABSTRACT
The content of this part is to guide researchers in studying and understanding more of Ming history and the trends in scholars’ research. First, it introduces the main historical materials needed for the study of the Ming classifies and lists their titles, contents, characteristics, values and so forth, with an emphasis on historical and literary materials. Second, it introduces the basic situation in the study of the Ming, including the major achievements, existing problems and prospects for further study in the main research fields.
