2.2.5+Modelling+and+Simulations

**2.2.5 Modelling and simulations**

**//Social and ethical issues//**

Students must study and evaluate the social and ethical issues involved in the use of modelling and simulations. These may include:
 *  reliability of predictions based on computer models, for example, weather, global warming


 *  economic effects of the use of models to design and test new products


 *  security issues involved in military simulations


 *  social impact of reliance on simulations to examine issues of public policy


 *  responsibility of the designer for accuracy of assumptions underlying the model


 *  ethical considerations involved in deciding when to use models or simulations to ensure human safety.

**//Knowledge of technology//**

In order to study and evaluate the social and ethical issues involved in the use of modelling and simulations, the student must have an understanding of related technological concepts. These may include:
 *  key terms—model, simulation, feedback loop


 *  faulty or hidden assumptions


 *  extent and effect of the simplification of reality


 *  extent to which the phenomenon being modelled is understood


 *  processing power needed to create complex models


 *  visualization of information


 *  correspondence of the model with reality.