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Unlocking complexity: the importance of idealisation in simulation modelling

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Title Unlocking complexity: the importance of idealisation in simulation modelling
 
Creator Haggith, M.
Prabhu, Ravi
 
Subject simulation models
methodology
research projects
flores
 
Description Idealisation is the process of finding simple representations of the real-world whilst conceptualising a model. There are three ways to limit complication in a model of a complex real-world: by focussing the scope of the modelling process onto a clearly defined issue; by idealising elements of the real-world during model ceptualisation; and by simplifying the implemented simulation program. Careful idealisation has the greatest potential for increasing model tractability whilst generating insights during the model design process. The Forest Land Oriented Resource Envisioning System (FLORES) project deals with social forest landscapes which are highly complex. Benefits of idealisation are demonstrated using six examples from this modelling work. These examples encompass issues dealing with land tenure, forest management, economic values, social diversity, communication and collaboration. Each example illustrates a different method to achieve an idealisation which yields insights relevant for policy players. A number of lessons about idealisation are also identified: (1) sometimes it is only possible to recognise what is key by omitting it; (2) an effective idealisation is not just achieved by leaving things out, or adding them back in; (3) it is important to challenge the use of different units where consistency is possible; (4) it is easier to keep a simple model simple; and (5) even the most useful idealisations may have a limited shelf-life.
 
Date 2003
2012-06-04T09:08:46Z
2012-06-04T09:08:46Z
 
Type Journal Article
 
Identifier Haggith, M., Prabhu, R. 2003. Unlocking complexity: the importance of idealisation in simulation modelling . Small-scale Forest Economics, Management and Policy 2 (2 (special issue)) :293-312.
https://hdl.handle.net/10568/18740
https://www.cifor.org/knowledge/publication/1266
 
Language en
 
Format p. 293-312
 
Source Small-scale Forest Economics, Management and Policy