Defines moelling in its broadest sense, developing the basic concepts from the twin perspectives of systems analysis and mapping. The first half of the book teaches modelling. The second half details 12 extensive case studies of how modelling is done today in a broad array of science including hydrology, astrophysics, anthropology, and oceanography.
Models.- Systems.- Mappings.- Characterizing Models.- The Art of Modelling.- Inference.- Probabilities.- Tolerance.- Tests.- Validity.- Suggestions for Further Reading.- Modelling the Evolution of Galaxies.- Modern Soda Lakes.- Modelling in Palaeoanthropology.- A Mathematical Model for the Identification of Human Impacts on Floods.- Physical Modelling of a Glass Melter.- Modelling of Complexation Equilibria.- Weather Prediction by Numerical Modelling of Atmospheric Processes.- Simulation of Hydrogen Behaviour During a Severe Accident.
From the reviews: "Tibor and Harmund Muller's, 'MODELLING IN NATURAL SCIENCES: DESIGN, VALIDATION AND CASE STUDIES' provided some new ideas and certainly added considerable background and syntax to the concepts of scientific modelling ! . First impressions were that the book looked good and was well presented. ! is well structured, building upon successive ideas and concepts without making any large jumps of logic. ! I recommend anyone involved with modelling in science to read it, as it will provide some context to the modelling process." (Kahan Cervoj, The Australian Geologist, Issue 130, March, 2004) "This is an interesting book about models and modelling process which naturally splits into two parts. In the first part, the authors discuss the general theory of modelling going step by step from the consideration of a model to its testing and validity. The exposition starts with numerous examples that reflect many-sided meanings of the word 'model'. ! It shall prove to be useful both for theoretists interested in the foundations of modelling and specialists interested in applied modelling." (Svitlana P. Rogovchenko, Zentralblatt MATH, Vol. 1023, 2003)