"Models of a same system may differ greatly in scale and level of detail. The implications of this are examined, in general and more specifically in relation to forest growth models. The nature of modelling is discussed, distinguishing descriptive and predictive models, and briefly describing the concepts of dynamical systems and state space. Through examples, I demonstrate limits to predictability that can make reliable predictions impossible at the individual level. A complete understanding of the functioning of a system, or its computer si8mulation, do not imply being able to predict its behaviour. Although detailed models are useful for research purposed, low-dimensional aggregated models are generally more appropriate for decision-making."
This project has two purposes. The first is to provide readers with a descriptive overview of a simulation of a World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement case (being European Communities - Measures Affecting Wine Imports). The simulation took place in a graduate level international trade course. Secondly, and arguably more importantly, the purpose of this project is to examine the usefulness and effectiveness of simulations as a teaching tool in international studies classes. Simulations are one of three interactive learning techniques that provide unique benefits not realized through traditional teaching methods. This project provides an overview of the WTO dispute settlement mechanism, discusses the actual dispute that was simulated and describes how the classroom simulation unfolded. The final analysis is conducted under the guise of four questions. Was the simulation an accurate reflection of what actually takes place? What significance did the simulation have for students of Canadian trade policy? Did the simulation contain the five major components as recommended by the literature? And, was the simulation effective? The final question uses a behaviour-content matrix, based on Bloom and Krathwohl's Taxonomies for the Writing of Educational Objectives. It is informed by interviews with the course instructor, student questionnaire responses and the author's own personal assessment as both a student who took the course and as a professional who works in the trade law field.--Page ii.
Simulation modeling is an integral part of conducting research in communication networks and distributed systems. In systems involving mobile nodes, accurate modeling of mobility has primary importance. Mobility has a fundamental influence on the behavior and performance of the system. However, only few mobility models have been used in nearly all simulations in the past. These models are simple and highly random. As a result, the simulation studies based on these random mobility models have been heavily criticized for their credibility. We feel that availability of a software tool with the following capability, at least in part, would alleviate this crisis. The software must facilitate researchers to: (i) model a wide range of mobility with varying degrees of realism (ii) analyze the modeled mobility visually and statistically and (iii) transport the mobility trace in a format that can be used in most widely used simulators. The development of a software tool with the above mentioned capabilities is the main contribution of this thesis. In this thesis, after presenting a comprehensive survey on realistic mobility models, we present a realistic mobility generator software called RLMobiGen that can be used to specify, generate, analyze, and then export the mobility trace. The mobility trace can then be used in the simulation studies of mobile ad hoc networks. RLMobiGen is a comprehensive, highly interactive, and user friendly software. --P.iii.
