Graphical means for inspecting qualitative models of system behaviour |
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Authors: | Anders Bouwer and Bert Bredeweg |
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Institution: | (1) Human-Computer Studies Laboratory, Faculty of Science, University of Amsterdam, Kruislaan 419, Matrix I, 1098 VA Amsterdam, The Netherlands |
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Abstract: | This article presents the design and evaluation of a tool for inspecting conceptual models of system behaviour. The basis
for this research is the Garp framework for qualitative simulation. This framework includes modelling primitives, such as entities, quantities and causal
dependencies, which are combined into model fragments and scenarios. Given a library of model fragments and a scenario describing
an initial situation, the qualitative simulation engine generates predictions in the form of a state–transition graph. This
rich knowledge representation has potential for educational purposes. However, communicating the contents of simulation models
effectively to learners is not trivial. The predicate logic format used by Garp is not easy for non-experts to understand, and a simulation often contains so much information that it is difficult to get
an overview while still having access to detailed information. To address these problems, a tool has been developed that generates
graphical representations of the information contained in a qualitative simulation. This tool, named VisiGarp, incorporates a vocabulary of graphical elements for model ingredients and relationships, and combines these into interactive
diagrams. VisiGarp has been evaluated by thirty students, with promising results, using a setup which included simulation results and exercises
about Brazilian Cerrado ecology. |
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