Principles of modeling and simulation : a multidisciplinary approach

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Summary

Explores wide-ranging applications of modeling and simulation techniques that allow readers to conduct research and ask "What if?"

Principles of Modeling and Simulation: A Multidisciplinary Approach is the first book to provide an introduction to modeling and simulation techniques across diverse areas of study. Numerous researchers from the fields of social science, engineering, computer science, and business have collaborated on this work to explore the multifaceted uses of computational modeling while illustrating their applications in common spreadsheets.

The book is organized into three succinct parts:

Principles of Modeling and Simulation provides a brief history of modeling and simulation, outlines its many functions, and explores the advantages and disadvantages of using models in problem solving. Two major reasons to employ modeling and simulation are illustrated through the study of a specific problem in conjunction with the use of related applications, thus gaining insight into complex concepts.

Theoretical Underpinnings examines various modeling techniques and introduces readers to two significant simulation concepts: discrete event simulation and simulation of continuous systems. This section details the two primary methods in which humans interface with simulations, and it also distinguishes the meaning, importance, and significance of verification and validation.

Practical Domains delves into specific topics related to transportation, business, medicine, social science, and enterprise decision support. The challenges of modeling and simulation are discussed, along with advanced applied principles of modeling and simulation such as representation techniques, integration into the application infrastructure, and emerging technologies.

With its accessible style and wealth of real-world examples, Principles of Modeling and Simulation: A Multidisciplinary Approach is a valuable book for modeling and simulation courses at the upper-undergraduate and graduate levels. It is also an indispensable reference for researchers and practitioners working in statistics, mathematics, engineering, computer science, economics, and the social sciences who would like to further develop their understanding and knowledge of the field.

Author Notes

John A. Sokolowski, PhD, is Research Professor and Director of Research at the Virginia Modeling, Analysis, and Simulation Center (VMASC) at Old Dominion University. He has authored numerous journal articles on the use of modeling and simulation techniques in the fields of engineering, computer science, and human behavior representation.
Catherine M. Banks, PhD, is Research Assistant Professor at the Virginia Modeling, Analysis, and Simulation Center (VMASC) at Old Dominion University. The author of many published articles on modeling and simulation, Dr. Banks currently focuses her research on modeling states and their varied histories of revolution and insurgency, political economy and state volatility, and global warning and population dynamics.

Reviews 1

Choice Review

This edited volume is meant to serve as an academic course resource for modeling and simulation. The work combines chapters that focus on the basics of modeling and simulation with examples of uses of modeling and simulation across a variety of disciplines. Unfortunately, the chapters are written at different levels of both mathematical rigor and technical detail, making it difficult to use as an undergraduate or graduate textbook. This book would have been much improved by a stronger hand at editing to level out the differences between the different chapters. Additionally, the editors feature a strong focus on military applications in a number of the chapters (many of the authors have backgrounds working in military-related modeling and simulation). While military applications are certainly a primary contributor to the history of this field, the book's focus seems too narrow, with many interesting application areas underemphasized. This work could supplement a graduate course on modeling and simulation (selected chapters could supplement an undergraduate course) and would be of interest to graduate students and professionals wishing to learn some of the basics of modeling and simulation. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduate through professional collections. R. A. Kolvoord James Madison University

Catherine M. BanksPaul F. ReynoldsJohn A. SokolowskiPaul A. Fishwick and Hyungwook ParkMichael P. Bailey and Ahmed K. NoorMikel D. PettyTuncer I. ÖrenMichael D. Fontaine and David P. Cook and C. Donald Combs and John A. Sokolowski and Catherine M. BanksR. Bowen Loftin

Preface	p. xi
Contributors	p. xiii
Part 1 Principles of Modeling and Simulation: A Multidisciplinary Approach
1 What Is Modeling and Simulation?	p. 3
Introduction	p. 3
Models: Approximations of Real-World Events	p. 5
A Brief History of Modeling and Simulation	p. 7
Application Areas	p. 15
Using Modeling and Simulation: Advantages and Disadvantages	p. 21
Conclusion	p. 22
Key Terms	p. 23
Further Reading	p. 23
References	p. 23
2 The Role of Modeling and Simulation	p. 25
Introduction	p. 25
Using Simulations to Solve Problems	p. 26
Uncertainty and Its Effects	p. 34
Gaining Insight	p. 37
A Simulation's Lifetime	p. 40
Conclusion	p. 42
Key Terms	p. 42
Further Reading	p. 42
Part 2 Theoretical Underpinnings
3 Simulation: Models That Vary over Time	p. 47
Introduction	p. 47
Discrete Event Simulation	p. 48
Continuous Simulation	p. 58
Conclusion	p. 69
Key Terms	p. 69
Reference	p. 69
4 Queue Modeling and Simulation	p. 71
Introduction	p. 71
Analytical Solution	p. 72
Queuing Models	p. 74
Sequential Simulation	p. 79
SimPack Queuing Implementation	p. 81
Parallel Simulation	p. 87
Conclusion	p. 88
Key Terms	p. 89
Further Reading	p. 89
References	p. 89
5 Human Interaction with Simulations	p. 91
Introduction	p. 91
Simulation and Data Dependency	p. 91
Visual Representation	p. 103
Conclusion	p. 116
Key Terms	p. 117
References	p. 117
6 Verification and Validation	p. 121
Introduction	p. 121
Performing Verification and Validation	p. 128
Verification and Validation Examples	p. 141
Conclusion	p. 147
Key Terms	p. 147
References	p. 147
Part 3 Practical Domains
7 Uses of Simulation	p. 153
Introduction	p. 153
The Many Facets of Simulation	p. 154
Experimentation Aspect of Simulation	p. 156
Experience Aspect of Simulation	p. 159
Examples of Uses of Simulation	p. 160
Ethics in the Use of Simulation	p. 170
Some Excuses to Avoid Using Simulation	p. 170
Conclusion	p. 171
Key Terms	p. 171
Further Exploration	p. 171
Appendix A Simulation Associations/Groups/Research Centers	p. 172
References	p. 178
8 Modeling and Simulation: Real-World Examples	p. 181
Introduction	p. 181
Transportation Modeling and Simulation	p. 181
Business Modeling and Simulation	p. 198
Medical Modeling and Simulation	p. 209
Social Science Modeling and Simulation	p. 230
Conclusion	p. 241
Key Terms	p. 242
Further Reading	p. 242
References	p. 242
9 The Future of Simulation	p. 247
Introduction	p. 247
A Brief . . . and Selective . . . History of Simulation	p. 248
Convergent Simulations	p. 249
Serious Games	p. 249
Human-Simulator Interfaces	p. 250
Computing Technology	p. 253
The Role of Education in Simulation	p. 253
The Future of Simulation	p. 254
Key Terms	p. 255
Index	p. 257

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Author Notes

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