Background. The use of simulation games for complex systems analysis and design has been acknowledged about 50 years ago. However, articles do not combine all salient factors for successful simulation games, and often stem from a clear view of one particular field of science only. With combining multiple disciplines, connect analysis and design as well as research and practice, we provide deep insights in design and use of simulation games.Aim. This article analyzes the design and evaluation process of a variety of game-based projects and activities, using existing scientific concepts and approaches, in order to establish games as a valid research tool. Our focus lies on the approach towards the use of games as design instrument; using them as an intervention in a larger, complex context, in order to design this context. With our contribution, we aim at providing insights and recommendations on the design and use of games as valid research tools, the limitations of this use, possible pitfalls, but also best practices.Method. We carried out a literature review of related work to identify the most important scientific concepts related to our approach of game design. Further use of combined quantitative and qualitative case study analyses highlights the design process and results of our own game studies.Results. The analyses yielded a consolidated conceptualization of simulation games as research instruments in complex systems analysis and design. The results also include methods for the evaluation of simulation games, additional evaluation methods, and limitations to use simulation games as research instruments.Conclusions. We propose guidelines for using simulation games as research instruments that may be of value to practitioners and scientists alike.Recommendation. We recommend practitioners and scientists to apply the guidelines presented here in their efforts to analyze and design complex systems.
Seaports are crucial interfaces in global intermodal freight transportation networks. Their complex operations, connectedness to external stakeholders, and increasing volumes of goods to be handled make them vulnerable to internal and external disruptions. Research has shown that disruptions in seaports can cause undesirable ripple effects, which negatively impact the operations of the entire transportation network as well as the surrounding economical and societal wellbeing. Containerized transportation plays a major role in the global trade network. Resilience of seaport container terminals is therefore imperative for a resilient and robust intermodal transportation network. Communication, information sharing, alignment of plans, and shared awareness of unfolding disruptions among planners and decision makers within terminal operations have been identified as important elements to improve the resilience of container terminals. However, in practice, the inter-dependencies between various planning and operational activities, and alignment of solution strategies have been largely overlooked. Addressing this gap, a novel approach for creating awareness of potential strategies for disruption management by training competencies for resilient container terminal operations has been introduced in the form of a simulation game. Several test sessions of a multiplayer tabletop game support the following two findings-first, the simulation game can be a useful means to train competencies for resilient transport operations from the perspective of the future planners and decision makers, as well as for soon-to-be professionals in container terminals. Second, the game may help participants to make choices that lead to resilient transport operations in container terminals.
The Data Stewardship project is a new initiative from the Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) in the Netherlands. Its aim is to create mature working practices and policies regarding research data management across all TU Delft faculties. The novelty of this project relies on having a dedicated person, the so-called 'Data Steward,' embedded in each faculty to approach research data management from a more discipline-specific perspective. It is within this framework that a research data management survey was carried out at the faculties that had a Data Steward in place by July 2018. The goal was to get an overview of the general data management practices, and use its results as a benchmark for the project. The total response rate was 11 to 37% depending on the faculty. Overall, the results show similar trends in all faculties, and indicate lack of awareness regarding different data management topics such as automatic data backups, data ownership, relevance of data management plans, awareness of FAIR data principles and usage of research data repositories. The results also show great interest towards data management, as more than ~80% of the respondents in each faculty claimed to be interested in data management training and wished to see the summary of survey results. Thus, the survey helped identified the topics the Data Stewardship project is currently focusing on, by carrying out awareness campaigns and providing training at both university and faculty levels.
Background. Complex, dynamic systems require flexible workforces with skills and attitudes responding to the dynamic work environment. Traditional, formal classroomoriented learning approaches often do not sufficiently support the development of such skills and attitudes and do not provide situated learning activities.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.