A Discussion on Experimental Model Validation

Model validation is essential in modeling and simulation. It ldquofinalizesrdquo the modeling process, and provides the base for reliable experiments with the model, and thus to gain trustworthy insights of the system under study. Diverse techniques have been developed addressing different needs and are used during different phases in the modeling and simulation life cycle. Experimental model validation depends on the execution of the model. Thus, the peculiarities of the simulation engine might influence the results of experiments and thus have to be taken into account. Execution also underlies some techniques of software validation which can be adopted for experimental model validation. New approaches apply model checking techniques for trace inspections, and emphasize the importance of an explicit description of requirements. All of this implies new requirements for systems intended to support experimental model validation.