2.3 Tools for Knowledge Synthesis – Modelling

Gabriele Bammer

Q3 How?

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Synthesisingdisciplinary

and stakeholderknowledge

Understanding and managing

diverse unknowns

Providingintegrated

research supportfor policy

and practicechange

Dialogue-basedModel-, product-, vision-basedCommon metrics -based

ReductionBanishmentAcceptanceExploitationSurrenderDenial

CommunicationAdvocacyEngagementFresh thinkingImportance of critique ie not uncritical handmaidens

Product, model or vision-based

Focus on modelling

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The Relationship between Systems and Models

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Jen Badham

Models are useful for all three domains of I2S

Synthesisingdisciplinary

and stakeholderknowledge

Understanding and managing

diverse unknowns

Providingintegrated

research supportfor policy

and practicechange

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Models and Knowledge Synthesis

Design process integrates knowledge– Expert input about function – Stakeholder input about relationships– Design encapsulates shared understanding

Models and Unknowns

• Conceptual models: can be used to discuss what is or is not known

• Mathematical models: sensitivity– Run simulations with

different inputs– Identify which inputs

have large impact• Prioritise research to

improve estimates

– Identify regions with different results

Models and Policy/Practice Support

• Scenarios– Cheap– Quick to run (not necessarily quick to build)– Reversible

• Decision support– Presentation of multiple options– Explicit trade-offs

Compilation of modelling methods

Five groupings:

1.Static diagrams

2.Dynamic subsystems

3.Dynamic individualsTarget system

4. Scenarios – outcome

5. Statistical

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Static diagrams

•Concept mapping•Soft systems methodology•Lean systems•Social network analysis

strong dialogue components

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Static diagrams… Concept map

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Static diagrams… Soft systems rich picture

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Static diagrams… Lean system

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Static diagrams… Social network

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Dynamic subsystems

•Causal loop diagrams•System dynamics

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Dynamic subsystems… Causal loop diagrams

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Dynamic subsystems… System dynamics models

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Dynamic individuals

Five groupings:

1.Static diagrams

2.Dynamic subsystems

3. Dynamic individuals•State transition•Discrete event simulation•Agent based

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Main Points

No way to get complete view of problem

Different systems view highlight different elements and relationships

Models help get handles on systems views

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Also note

Few compilations

No agreed classification

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Compilation of modelling methods… 1

Five groupings:

1.Static diagrams

2.Dynamic subsystems

3.Dynamic individualsTarget system

4. Scenarios – outcome

5. Statistical

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Key issues about scenarios… 1

Can be dialogue-based or modelling-based

Can use various modelling methods

Connect research to policy and practice change:

– Cheap– Quick to run (not necessarily quick to build)– Reversible

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Key issues about scenarios… 2

Plausibility:

Models capture the relationships between different parts of the system, which guarantees that an assumed change to one element has a realistic impact on the rest of the system

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Exercise

Which kinds of models are being used in the group?

Could models be helpful for some cases?

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