Overall Score:
| Target Readership | Sen Secondary + | For help with criteria, click here | ||||
| Presentation/Style |  |
|
|
|
|
|
| Content | |
|
|
|||
| Literature | |
|
||||
| Originality | |
|
|
|
||
| Overall | |
|
|
|
|
|
Contents:
1 - First principles; 2 - Characters and homology; 3 - Cladograms and trees; 4 - Fit and robustness; 5 - Practical.
Review:
Although it is possible to appreciate evolution especially with the fossil record it does have something of a random air. We discuss the development of species with recourse to material that is far from perfect and where much data may already have failed to survive. Cladistics is the more systematic branch based on analysis of characteristics and, increasingly, genetic and molecular data. The aim of this CD Rom is to introduce the viewer to the processes and principles of cladistics.
The mark of a good interactive learning guide is the ease with which it can be used without recourse to manuals. In this sense, this is ideal. Depending on the system, the CD is started easily (although in Windows environments it might be better to place a shortcut icon on the desktop. There are no files to load and so the process is painless. The opening screen shows the basic chapter structure and gives an opportunity of browsing the 'how-to' section. After that, its just launch into the first chapter and follow the instructions. The basic format is for a voice to note what is happening on the screen. Is places, there are tests and quizzes which can be done, or if not desired, left and the next section started. The whole structure is set up so that the viewer can move to wherever they wish to go. The subject matter is laid out clearly and with an obvious logic. The first section explains the nature of cladistics and what it aims to do as well as its basic tenets such as parsimony analysis. A simple example is given and, after a simple test, we move on to section two. Here, the main building blocks of the technique are outlined. We see the difference between homologies and homoplasies as well as character definition. Section three looks at cladograms and how they can be constructed. The problem with cladistics is that it is possible to construct a number of possible trees and so section four helps us in the process of finding out which is likely to be the best one. A final section, five, is a practical example that tests the knowledge gained. If going though this on CD is too difficult in one sitting (and it probably would be) then a slim text written to accompany the text is an ideal way of filling in the gaps. In fact, for the beginner it's probably best to start with the text to gain an idea of what's happening.
Overall this is an excellent introduction. The images are clear and the whole experience has been very carefully designed to give maximum information with the minimum of problems. Examples are well chosen and solutions are given to all the tests so you can check your progress. The book acts as an excellent foil for the work. Those needing a basic guide to cladistics can't do better than use this excellent primer.