Special Issue on Good Modelling Practice

[Barry Croke]

Joint Special Issue on Good Modelling Practice

Collaborating Journals: Socio-Environmental Systems Modelling (SESMO), Environmental Modelling and Software (EMS), and Ecological Modelling (ECOMOD)

Modelling, computational, conceptual or otherwise, has become an indispensable tool for dealing with complex socio-environmental systems (SES), whether the purpose be system understanding, prediction or social learning. It is crucial therefore that any modelling undertaken be adequate in its practices for the purposes. But despite early advances this century, guidance and protocols for good modelling practice (GMP) in different settings have been lacking.

This joint special issue intends to provide a platform for visible and ongoing attention to what ought to be the current standard(s) for an appropriate modelling protocol that considers uncertainty in all its facets and promotes transparency in the quest for robust and reliable results. It aims to bring together and highlight work that develops, applies, or evaluates procedures for a trustworthy modelling workflow or that investigates good modelling practices for particular aspects of the workflow. We invite research that aims to improve the scientific basis of the entire modelling chain and places good modelling practice in focus. Particular aspects of GMP might include (but are not limited to) contributions on:

1. Developing modelling conceptual maps, protocols and workflows
2. Benchmarking model results
3. Developing robust parameterization, calibration and evaluation frameworks
4. Going beyond common metrics in assessing model performance and realism, including qualitative methods
5. Conducting controlled model comparison studies
6. Investigating subjectivity and reflexivity along the modelling chain, and addressing model fitness for purpose
7. Identifying and prioritising sources of uncertainty and/or investigating uncertainty propagation along the modelling chain, and data acquisition planning for reducing uncertainty
8. Communicating model results and their uncertainty to end users of model results
9. Evaluating implications of model limitations and identifying priorities for future model development
10. Examples of developing FAIR principles for digital assets in the modelling chain (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable – see https://www.comses.net/education/responsible-practices/)

 

Note that interpretation of what is an SES is considered widely. Systems for example may include ecological, hydrological, energy, policy, health and social sectors, often a combination of these or others. An aim is to share experiences of GMP across sectors and disciplines.

Guest Editors

Tony Jakeman, SESMO         tony.j...@anu.edu.au

Sondoss Elsawah, EMS         s.el...@adfa.edu.au

Hsiao-Hsuan (Rose) Wang, ECOMOD     Hsiaohs...@ag.tamu.edu

 

Which journal to publish in?

Authors can submit to one of the three journals but only one must be chosen. It is envisaged that manuscripts will be reviewed and assessed by the relevant journal selected by the author(s) and Guest Editors will be across all manuscript processes.

Deadlines for submission

Enquiries and Abstracts of 500 words by August 30, 2023 (but preferably sooner) to any of the three Guest Editors above

Full papers by February 28, 2024