GENERALIZATION OF SIMULATION RESULTS - PRACTICALITY OF STATISTICAL-METHODS

The major purpose of this paper is to evaluate the practical use of statistical techniques in both the generalization or analysis of simulation results, and the design of simulation experiments. This problem is investigated with the help of a real-life system, namely the container terminus of ECT in Rotterdam. This system is modeled by a simulation program. The relationship between the simulation response and its input variables is modeled by a linear regression model: metamodel or auxiliary model. The paper summarizes regression analysis including generalized least squares which might be used for simulation responses with non-constant variances. The validity of the postulated regression metamodel is tested statistically: F- and t-statistics. The selection of the situations to be simulated, is done through experimental design methodology, permitting both quantitative and qualitative factors. The statistical techniques apply not only to simulation but also to real-life experiments. © 1979.