Pitfalls in Modeling and Simulation

Scholars use models and modeling e.g. to examine, explain or demonstrate ideas or phenomena. Modeling combines discipline specific traditions and general methods of modeling together. The interdisciplinary nature of modeling and simulation can sometimes cause challenges to a scientist. This paper identifies eight typical pitfalls a researcher may encounter in a modeling study. The study explains the pitfalls and connects them to the different phases of the modeling cycle. The purpose of the article is to provide some guidance for scientists how to avoid the general traps of modeling and simulation. (C) 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.