Requirements for Validating System Models,
Abstract
As computer models become larger and more complex we have to do some hard thinking about how they can be validated, and then how they can become a permanent part of our collective scientific thinking. Until, recently, the only form of quantitative expression was in explicit manipulation of mathematical functions. This form of expression probably reached its pinnacle in the 1950s in quantum field theory. It was also accompanied by great activity on the part of philosophers (initiating the new discipline, philosophy of science), who were concerned with validation of theory. In any case, we have had many years in which to grow accustomed to presentation of scientific theory analytically, and to become comfortable with its epistemological conundrums. So what the author does here is make an analogy between the development and presentation of analytic scientific theory and that of computer models in order to suggest that there are additional requirements to be made on computer models to test their validity.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 25, 1983
- Accession Number
- ADP002128
Entities
People
- M. S. Gussenhoven
Organizations
- Boston College