Online Content

1. Mass, Nathaniel J. with Peter M. Senge, "Alternative Tests for the Selection of Model Variables"

Type:
Document
Date Created:
1976
Collection:
System Dynamic Society Records
Collecting Area:
University Archives
Collection ID:
ua435
Parent Record(s):
23d738ba88f8333bc39725f9cb5bd0b8, 7f4e0cd9dcbf7a3743e13c4911e77bc2, and dbb17ec8affa7ecbcd419a760cb61093
Thumbnail Path Ss:
/downloads/j6731m78w?file=thumbnail
System Modified Dtsi:
2020-01-02T18:34:35Z
Description:
This paper contrasts two approaches to testing the importance of model variables: single-equation statistical tests and model-behavior tests. The paper demonstrates that, both theoretically and operationally, tests which analyze the impact of individual variables on model behavior are better suited to the task of selecting model variables. Conversely, the statistical tests should not be viewed as tests of model specification per se, but as tests of a particular type of data usefulness. When viewed as tests of data usefulness, the statistical tests have a clear, albeit quite narrow, role in model validation: they warn the modeler when available data do not permit accurate estimation of model parameter. However, as a detailed example illustrates, a model relationship may be difficult to estimate yet extremely important for overall model behavior.