Supporting conceptual modelling of dynamic systems: A knowledge engineering perspective on qualitative reasoning

Research has shown that even students educated in science at prestigious universities have misconceptions about the systems underlying climate change, sustainability and government spending. Interactive conceptual modelling and simulation tools, which are based on Artificial Intelligence techniques, offer a potential solution to this problem. Such tools have proven to be useful means for scientists to develop their knowledge about systems such as those mentioned before. However, they have also turned out to be difficult to use. In this thesis, instruments and methods are proposed that simplify learning by modelling, to turn this approach into a valuable asset for students from secondary school onwards.