Study
ModellingHigh ImpactStrong effect

Standardized Reporting Enhances Simulation Reproducibility and Reliability

Implementing standardized reporting guidelines for empirical simulation studies significantly improves the reproducibility and reliability of model findings.

Journal of Simulation · 2018

01

Key Findings

  • 01Incomplete or ambiguous reporting is a common issue in simulation studies.
  • 02Standardized checklists can address reporting deficiencies and enhance reproducibility.
  • 03The STRESS guidelines provide a structured approach to reporting simulation models.
02

Application

Design takeaway

Adopt and adapt standardized reporting checklists, like the STRESS guidelines, for all simulation-based design projects to ensure clarity, reproducibility, and trust in your findings.

How to apply

When conducting or reviewing simulation studies, use the STRESS checklists as a framework to ensure all critical aspects of the model, its inputs, assumptions, and outputs are clearly documented.

Project actions

  • 01Clearly define the scope and purpose of your simulation model.
  • 02Document all assumptions, parameters, and data sources meticulously.
  • 03Use a checklist to ensure all essential reporting elements are included.
03

Method & Evidence

AimHow can standardized reporting guidelines improve the reproducibility and reliability of empirical simulation studies?
MethodGuideline development and validation
ProcedureThe researchers reviewed existing literature on simulation study reporting quality, consolidated best practices, and developed three specific checklists (STRESS-DES, STRESS-ABS, STRESS-SD) for different simulation methodologies. They also provided guidance on their usage.
ContextOperational Research and Management Science, specifically discrete-event simulation, system dynamics, and agent-based simulation.

Variables

IVImplementation of standardized reporting guidelines (e.g., STRESS checklists).
DVReproducibility of simulation studies, reliability of simulation results, clarity of reporting.
CVType of simulation (discrete-event, agent-based, system dynamics), complexity of the model, domain of application.
04

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

  • +Addresses a critical need for standardization in simulation reporting.
  • +Provides practical, actionable checklists for different simulation types.

Limitations

The STRESS guidelines are comprehensive and may require significant effort to fully implement, potentially adding to the time commitment of a design project. Some aspects might be overly detailed for simpler simulation models.

Reliability & validity

The reliability of the STRESS guidelines is supported by their development through literature review and consolidation of expert work. Validity is demonstrated by their aim to improve the objective qualities of reproducibility and reliability in simulation studies.

Think critically

To what extent do the STRESS guidelines need to be adapted for novel or highly specialized simulation techniques not explicitly covered by the original checklists?

05

Design Principles

"Transparent reporting of simulation models is essential for scientific rigor and practical application."

In complex design projects, simulation models are crucial for testing hypotheses and predicting outcomes. Without clear and consistent reporting, the validity of these simulations can be questioned, hindering collaboration and the adoption of findings by stakeholders.

06

What This Means for Your Design

When you build a simulation model for your design project, you need to write down exactly how you built it, what data you used, and what happened. This makes sure others can understand and trust your results, just like following a recipe.

How to use in your project

  • 1.Reference the STRESS guidelines when describing the methodology and reporting of your simulation model.
  • 2.Use the principles of the STRESS guidelines to structure your own reporting of simulation results.
07

Add to My Project

08

Quick Cite

(2018). Strengthening the reporting of empirical simulation studies: Introducing the STRESS guidelines. Journal of Simulation. https://doi.org/10.1080/17477778.2018.1442155 Retrieved from https://designdex.org/study/4daf6d43-203a-4dc9-90fa-edbfbd50fc01/standardized-reporting-enhances-simulation-reproducibility-and-reliability

Paragraph starter

The simulation model developed for this design project was reported following the principles of the STRESS guidelines to ensure transparency and reproducibility. Key aspects of the model, including its type (e.g., discrete-event, agent-based), core assumptions, input parameters, data sources, and output metrics, were meticulously documented to allow for independent verification and potential reuse of the model by other researchers or designers.

09

Source

Journal of Simulation

Strengthening the reporting of empirical simulation studies: Introducing the STRESS guidelines

journal · 2018

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Questions about this research

What does the research say about standardized reporting enhances simulation reproducibility and reliability?
Adopt and adapt standardized reporting checklists, like the STRESS guidelines, for all simulation-based design projects to ensure clarity, reproducibility, and trust in your findings. Evidence: Journal of Simulation (2018).
Why does "Standardized Reporting Enhances Simulation Reproducibility and Reliability" matter for design?
In complex design projects, simulation models are crucial for testing hypotheses and predicting outcomes. Without clear and consistent reporting, the validity of these simulations can be questioned, hindering collaboration and the adoption of findings by stakeholders.
How can designers apply this research?
Adopt and adapt standardized reporting checklists, like the STRESS guidelines, for all simulation-based design projects to ensure clarity, reproducibility, and trust in your findings.
What were the main findings?
Incomplete or ambiguous reporting is a common issue in simulation studies.. Standardized checklists can address reporting deficiencies and enhance reproducibility.. The STRESS guidelines provide a structured approach to reporting simulation models.
What research method was used?
Guideline development and validation.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2018 journal from Journal of Simulation.
What should I do differently in my next project?
When conducting or reviewing simulation studies, use the STRESS checklists as a framework to ensure all critical aspects of the model, its inputs, assumptions, and outputs are clearly documented.
What are the limitations?
The effectiveness of the guidelines may vary depending on the complexity and specific domain of the simulation study. Adaptation may be required for novel simulation approaches.
Is there evidence that stress guidelines affects design outcomes?
Many simulation studies lack sufficient detail for others to replicate or trust their results. The STRESS guidelines offer a structured checklist approach to ensure that simulation models are reported comprehensively, thereby increasing their reproducibility and reliability. In complex design projects, simulation model Source: Journal of Simulation (2018).
Where does this simulation research apply?
Operational Research and Management Science, specifically discrete-event simulation, system dynamics, and agent-based simulation. It sits within modelling research on designdex.org.

Related research topics

stress guidelines design research · evidence on stress guidelines · does stress guidelines improve design outcomes · simulation studies for designers · stress guidelines and simulation findings · modelling research evidence