Sentence:  The best <WSD>way</WSD> to determine the correct figure ( in captives ) is by direct observation of pairs isolated from birth , a method that produced surprising results : maturing of a male Indian python in less than two years , his mate in less than three ; data on the boa constrictor about match this . 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  how a result is obtained or an end is achieved