DIGITAL COMPUTER SIMULATION: STATISTICAL CONSIDERATIONS

Abstract

The report discusses the statistical problems that arise in computer simulation experiments. Three problem areas inherent in all stochastic system simulation models are discussed: verification, which determines whether a model actually behaves as an experimenter assumes it does; validation, which tests whether the model reasonably approximates a real system; and problem analysis, which seeks to ensure proper execution of a simulation and proper handling of its results. The study traces the elements of a simulation experiment from initial conception to analysis of final results, defining the statistical problems that arise at each step and relating them to the formal body of statistical theory. Since the aim is to promote awareness of problems, not to solve them, the study offers no general solutions but provides references germane to the statistical problems described.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 01, 1967
Accession Number
AD0660953

Entities

People

  • George S. Fishman
  • Philip J. Kiviat

Organizations

  • RAND Corporation

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Autonomy
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Computational Science
  • Computer Simulations
  • Data Science
  • Databases
  • Digital Computers
  • Information Processing
  • Information Science
  • Monte Carlo Method
  • Random Variables
  • Stationary Processes
  • Statistical Algorithms
  • Statistical Analysis
  • Statistical Distributions
  • Statistical Sampling
  • Stochastic Processes
  • Surveys

Readers

  • Computational Modeling and Simulation
  • Systems Analysis and Design