Scientists conduct investigations for a wide variety of reasons. For example, they may wish to discover new aspects of the natural world, explain recently observed phenomena, or test the conclusions of prior investigations or the predictions of current theories. One of the challenges for science teachers is to make science investigations meaningful, so such investigations should be derived from questions and issues that have meaning for students. Students also need to learn how to analyze evidence and data. This CD-ROM looks at the way in which scientists work in exploring new areas of knowledge, or new aspects of existing knowledge. It presents students with scenarios and sets of data, and challenges them to investigate for themselves. The Scientific Method has a highly interactive design where the user plays an active (frequently a fun) part in the learning process rather than being a passive observer. A historical and a modern case study are employed to involve the user in activities such as planning experiments, gathering and analyzing evidence, drawing conclusions, and communicating results. With a wealth of resources that users can extract for use in their own work, worksheets for students, and information for tutors, The Scientific Method is a valuable educational tool. It includes photographs, diagrams, animations, video and audio to engage the user in this exciting topic. A Cambridge Educational Production.

One Windows/Macintosh CD-ROM and activity sheets.