Verification, Validation, and Accreditation (VV&A) of Social Simulations

Abstract

This paper discusses the VV&A of social simulations by an examination of uncertainty, correlation, and cause in social processes in general and in social simulation methodologies in particular. Standards of scientific investigation for social simulation are presented, and different methodologies of social simulation are examined for the degree to which they can implement the standard. Methodologies examined include Bayesian networks, system dynamics models, reactive agent-based models and cognitive agent-based models. Standards for the accumulation of knowledge in social science through refutation of conceptual models are presented, and how they may be objectively evaluated using computational technologies of ontologies and optimization under soft constraints.