Under the supervision of Professor Dr. Laith Majeed Hussein, Director of the Center for the Revival of Arab Scientific Heritage at the University of Baghdad, the Manuscripts Department in the Center organized a panel discussion on the morning of Thursday, October 9, 2025, attended by a number of professors and researchers, and held in the Hall of Professor Nabeela Abdul Muneim Dawood. The panel discussion was entitled “Scientific Research Methodologies between Heritage and Modernity.” The session was chaired by Dr. Liqaa Amer Ashour, a faculty member at our Center, and the lecture was delivered by Assistant Professor Dr. Nihad Ne’ma Majeed from the Department of History, College of Education for Women. Dr. Majeed began by defining history as the science that studies human events of the past, aiming to understand these events, their timing, locations, causes, and outcomes. She emphasized that studying and writing history requires deep analysis, patience, and precise reading and examination of texts.
The researcher highlighted the importance of the historical method, which records, describes, and analyzes past events systematically and scientifically to reach accurate conclusions. This, in turn, helps us understand the present in light of the past and anticipate the future.
She also pointed out that early historians used two main methods in historical research:
The annalistic method, which confines events to specific time and place frameworks, helping readers focus within a defined context and better follow the sequence of events. The contemporary historical methodologies, which aim to understand interconnections and reveal deep links between past and present phenomena across time and space. These modern approaches transcend traditional boundaries, moving beyond purely national or regional events to present a broader view of relationships among different societies. The discussion included several scholarly interventions and exchanges of views on research methodologies.
At the conclusion of the session, Dr. Zainab Kamel, Head of the Manuscripts Department, expressed her appreciation to Dr. Majeed, wishing her continued success and excellence in serving our distinguished university.
