What does "comparing and contrasting the ares of research" mean?

[JJay]

For a history project I first had to think of two similar/comparable events or things, mine are: the motivations of the Vietcong and the Al Qaida. Of the handful of things I have to do, the paper (I have to write) is confusing me the most it says "Compare and contrast the areas of research" What does that mean? That I have to simply compare the two different motivations of the groups, in my paper? Or that I have to compare and contrast the subjects of research? Either way I am very confused, if you have an answer, please dumb it down so that I can one hundred percent understand.

 

[jelesais2000]

comparing=similarities of what you're researching
contrast=what is different between them
Since it says "areas of research," you might legitimately claim where you could find articles which covered the subjects, but I suspect it was a poorly worded instruction. If you have time before the paper is due, ask your instructor for clarification.