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Qualitative and quantitative modelling in system dynamics: some research questions
Author(s) -
Coyle Geoff
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
system dynamics review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.491
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1099-1727
pISSN - 0883-7066
DOI - 10.1002/1099-1727(200023)16:3<225::aid-sdr195>3.0.co;2-d
Subject(s) - management science , orthodoxy , qualitative analysis , qualitative research , system dynamics , computer science , dynamics (music) , quantitative analysis (chemistry) , relation (database) , epistemology , operations research , balance (ability) , qualitative property , sociology , artificial intelligence , engineering , psychology , social science , data mining , philosophy , machine learning , chemistry , theology , chromatography , neuroscience , pedagogy
The tradition, one might call it the orthodoxy, in system dynamics is that a problem can only be analysed, and policy guidance given, through the aegis of a fully quantified model. In the last 15 years, however, a number of purely qualitative models have been described, and have been criticised, in the literature. This article briefly reviews that debate and then discusses some of the problems and risks sometimes involved in quantification. Those problems are exemplified by an analysis of a particular model, which turns out to bear little relation to the real problem it purported to analyse. Some qualitative models are then reviewed to show that they can, indeed, lead to policy insights and five roles for qualitative models are identified. Finally, a research agenda is proposed to determine the wise balance between qualitative and quantitative models. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.