2.3) The Utility Of Simulation

Often data collection alone is insufficient and we like to run experiments to answer "what if" questions. In such situations we might require simulations. Especially if experiments with the real system are not ethical, too expensive, or too time intensive, or not possible at all because the real system is not accessible, cannot be steered, does not exist yet, is theoretically interesting but cannot be analysed in reality yet.

In research, simulation is generally used for:

• System understanding (E.g., understanding the relationship between individual decision making and global/social change)
• Developing and exploring theories (E.g., concerned with social change)
• Hypothesis building in the beginning of a research project
• Ex ante analysis of strategies and measures
• Diagnosis (E.g. determine parameters which lead to problematic changes)
• Training (E.g., train decision makes in complex situations)