Sensitivity analysis in practice : a guide to assessing scientific models

Sensitivity analysis should be considered a pre--requisite for statistical model building in any scientific discipline where modelling takes place. For a non--expert, choosing the method of analysis for their model is complex, and depends on a number of factors. This book guides the non--expert through their problem in order to enable them to choose and apply the most appropriate method. It offers a review of the state--of--the--art in sensitivity analysis, and is suitable for a wide range of practitioners. It is focussed on the use of SIMLAB -- a widely distributed freely--available sensitivity analysis software package developed by the authors -- for solving problems in sensitivity analysis of statistical models. Other key features:* Provides an accessible overview of the current most widely used methods for sensitivity analysis.* Opens with a detailed worked example to explain the motivation behind the book.* Includes a range of examples to help illustrate the concepts discussed.* Focuses on implementation of the methods in the software SIMLAB -- a freely--available sensitivity analysis software package developed by the authors.* Contains a large number of references to sources for further reading.* Authored by the leading authorities on sensitivity analysis.