A short document on the literature review and project content

Esc 577, Systems Modelling for Environmental Dynamics, Fall 2012
I. LITERATURE REVIEW PAPERS
The theme selected for literature review must be on systems thinking, systems theory, system
dynamics, dynamic systems modelling, dynamic modelling and/or computer simulation applied
to a specific field of knowledge.
Literature review papers must be oriented toward a specific research question and purpose in
your mind. It must provide a critical look to the previous research in your field, related to your
purpose and in relation to the methods that you are going to use. Ultimate purpose of a
literature review is to crystallize the research problem, hypothesis and research design. While
reading the literature and writing the literature review papers, you must always stay relevant
with this purpose. You must provide information either a related few or all of the following:
Previous knowledge in the field; existing theories and explanations; inconsistencies of these
explanations; lacking evidence; further research problems; and further research designs.
Literature review papers must have a title related to the intended research. First, purpose of the
literature review must be mentioned in a <strong>short</strong> abstract (around 200 words). Then the literature
must be reviewed in an assay, trying to answer the above questions. This paper may consist of
about 7 pages. A minimized version of this paper may serve as the literature review chapter of
the term paper.
II. TERM PROJECTS AND PAPERS
Projects will be about a formal mathematical model originally developed by the students, or
about a formal model in literature that is considerably modified and improved by the students
themselves.
There can be alternative purposes: You can choose to analyse a biological or physical process as
it develops in the environment or in laboratory conditions. The ultimate aim should be to
describe and clarify the theory about the causes of observed problematic behaviors. Another
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purpose can be to analyse an environmental policy problem at corporate or public scale. In that
case, the aim should be to describe the endogenous (feedback rich) causes of this
environmental problem and to discover leverage points (leverage policies) to improve the
functioning of the system.
The projects will be submitted as a research paper fulfilling academic criteria (like a paper to be
presented in an academic conference or to be submitted to a journal – around 20 pages, not
more!).
Below is a brief outline that should be useful in creating write-ups.
Abstract
By skimming the abstract, reader should be able to understand the research context; problem
and purpose; method; outcomes and benefits. Length of the abstract must be around 200
words.
Introduction
Introduction must establish the context of research. What is the issue in general terms, in a
broader context? Why it is important? A literature review section under introduction can help to
set the stage for an interesting research.
Problem
What is the problem in more specific terms? Following the dynamic simulation methodology
guidelines, describe the problem in terms of behaviour of critical variables and relevant time
horizons required to observe and analyse those behaviours.
Model description
Model description can start with introducing the conceptual model with causal loop diagrams.
Relevant factors and variables, exogenous as well as the endogenous factors must be illustrated.
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The causal loop diagrams should depict the fundamental feedbacks operating in the formal
model structure.
After introducing the conceptual model, formal simulation model should be introduced. The
best way to describe a model is to adopt a hierarchical, top down approach. First, give an
overview of its sectors and their interactions. Then describe each sector, focusing fundamentally
on stock variables and formulation of their flows. You must describe the important variables and
critical formulations in detail.
Model validation
Model must be validated with appropriate structure tests. Behaviour validation is desirable.
Model behaviour analysis
Model reference behaviour (reference outputs) must be illustrated.
Then model behaviour sensitivity to alternative hypothesis must be analysed. This stage
includes both parameter and structure (policy) sensitivity tests.
Conclusion
Describe the outcomes and their possible impacts in theory and practice.
References
Where necessary and where available, do not forget to cite references as you write the text.
Note that all references in the references section must be cited within the text. Use one
standard academic format as you cite and list your references.
Last note: Use “good” English. Don’t forget to make “language check” on your word editor.
Avoid unnecessarily long sentences and sophisticated expressions – that increase your
probability to create “wrong” sentences.
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