On the articulation of simulation and heuristic models of agricultural production systems

Abstract

Good models are perceived as accurate, simple and having explanatory power. In practice, these are all bundled together. But the balance between these three attributes, and the strength of their expression, change depending on the use to which the model is put: whether for a technical, a practical or an emancipatory purpose. The relative emphasis on the accuracy of technical models may be misplaced if they are to be used to facilitate performance in a practical situation or to promote emancipation by providing a framework that allows individuals to work through their own problems. Farming practice issues may be better handled by building upon farmers’ own heuristic models, with relatively greater emphasis on simplicity. Similarly, emancipatory issues can be more appropriately handled through educational models that stimulate and facilitate insight into system behaviour, with relative emphasis on explanatory power. The issue of the articulation of different model categories becomes important as models are used to design and engineer changes in the models used by others for different purposes, and as work is done simultaneously with different model categories to achieve a particular purpose.