The historical development of simulation, and user needs
The historical development of simulation, and user needs
Simulation is the construction and use of a computer-based representation, or model, of some part of the real world as a substitute vehicle for experiment and behaviour prediction. It is often observed as the most popular of the classical Operational Research techniques. This investigation has examined the hypothesis that `simulation technology development has focused too strongly on modelling and more emphasis is required to support the use of the models built'.
Starting from an assessment of the basic nature of simulation and of its application, the research continued with: extensive literature searches (including archive material) covering the history of simulation development, and available knowledge and technology to support the wider simulation process; surveys, in particular of user practice in experimentation; and interviews, of notable workers in the field, of software vendors, and of individual users.
The research also involved revision of the classical simulation methodology to accommodate the impact of interactive simulation and so provide a sounder basis for considerations of methodology support, and devising a prototype dialogue for such support.
The research has established that simulation is being used increasingly by non-specialists, yet the dominant focus of development has been, and is, ease of model creation, with little attention to the wider methodology - particularly experimentation. It has been found that, commonly under the pressure of time, users cannot be relied upon for consistent and sound experimental practice unaided. Yet, as the results of the research show, there is already a body of knowledge and technology that could be exploited to provide support to the use of models. The research further demonstrates that such support has real potential in practice and users would employ it.
University of Southampton
1993
Hollocks, Brian William
(1993)
The historical development of simulation, and user needs.
University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis.
Record type:
Thesis
(Doctoral)
Abstract
Simulation is the construction and use of a computer-based representation, or model, of some part of the real world as a substitute vehicle for experiment and behaviour prediction. It is often observed as the most popular of the classical Operational Research techniques. This investigation has examined the hypothesis that `simulation technology development has focused too strongly on modelling and more emphasis is required to support the use of the models built'.
Starting from an assessment of the basic nature of simulation and of its application, the research continued with: extensive literature searches (including archive material) covering the history of simulation development, and available knowledge and technology to support the wider simulation process; surveys, in particular of user practice in experimentation; and interviews, of notable workers in the field, of software vendors, and of individual users.
The research also involved revision of the classical simulation methodology to accommodate the impact of interactive simulation and so provide a sounder basis for considerations of methodology support, and devising a prototype dialogue for such support.
The research has established that simulation is being used increasingly by non-specialists, yet the dominant focus of development has been, and is, ease of model creation, with little attention to the wider methodology - particularly experimentation. It has been found that, commonly under the pressure of time, users cannot be relied upon for consistent and sound experimental practice unaided. Yet, as the results of the research show, there is already a body of knowledge and technology that could be exploited to provide support to the use of models. The research further demonstrates that such support has real potential in practice and users would employ it.
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Published date: 1993
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Local EPrints ID: 462442
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/462442
PURE UUID: f8b0992f-8559-42cc-8cd7-7fd9b0e26f81
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Date deposited: 04 Jul 2022 19:08
Last modified: 04 Jul 2022 19:08
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Author:
Brian William Hollocks
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