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Good modeling practice guidelines for applying multimedia models in chemical assessments
Author(s) -
Buser Andreas M,
MacLeod Matthew,
Scheringer Martin,
Mackay Don,
Bonnell Mark,
Russell Mark H,
DePinto Joseph V,
Hungerbühler Konrad
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
integrated environmental assessment and management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.665
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1551-3793
pISSN - 1551-3777
DOI - 10.1002/ieam.1299
Subject(s) - transparency (behavior) , computer science , context (archaeology) , risk analysis (engineering) , quality (philosophy) , management science , engineering , computer security , medicine , paleontology , philosophy , epistemology , biology
Multimedia mass balance models of chemical fate in the environment have been used for over 3 decades in a regulatory context to assist decision making. As these models become more comprehensive, reliable, and accepted, there is a need to recognize and adopt principles of Good Modeling Practice (GMP) to ensure that multimedia models are applied with transparency and adherence to accepted scientific principles. We propose and discuss 6 principles of GMP for applying existing multimedia models in a decision‐making context, namely 1) specification of the goals of the model assessment, 2) specification of the model used, 3) specification of the input data, 4) specification of the output data, 5) conduct of a sensitivity and possibly also uncertainty analysis, and finally 6) specification of the limitations and limits of applicability of the analysis. These principles are justified and discussed with a view to enhancing the transparency and quality of model‐based assessments. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2012; 8: 703–708. © 2012 SETAC