Modeling and Simulation
Quantitative Method
Janice Pola D. Congzon
1st Semester AY 2025 - 2026
Research
• In the simplest terms, research is a process of asking questions
and finding answers.
• It's a systematic and organized way of investigating a topic to
discover new facts, test existing ideas, or solve a problem.
• Think of it as a formal version of our natural human curiosity.
Research
What makes formal research different from just casually looking something up? It's typically
Systematic: Based on Evidence Objective: Logical: It uses clear
Research follows a (Empirical): Conclusions are Researchers strive to reasoning to connect the
clear plan and a not based on guesses, remain unbiased and evidence to the conclusions
structured process. feelings, or opinions. They let the evidence speak
It's not a random, are grounded in observable for itself. The goal is to
haphazard search and measurable evidence find the truth, not to
for information. (data) that has been prove a preconceived
collected. notion.
Classification of Research
Research by Data Type
• This is one of the most common ways to classify research, focusing on the kind of information collected.
• Qualitative Research: This approach deals with non-numerical data, such as opinions, feelings, experiences, and behaviors. It's about
gaining a deep, detailed understanding of a topic. Think of it as collecting stories and insights.
• Methods: Interviews, focus groups, case studies, and observations.
• Example: A researcher conducts in-depth interviews with a dozen successful entrepreneurs to understand their mindset and
personal journeys.
• Quantitative Research: This focuses on numerical data and statistical analysis. It's used to measure, test hypotheses, and identify
patterns on a large scale. It’s about the numbers, facts, and figures.
• Methods: Surveys, experiments, and statistical analysis of existing data.
• Example: A political poll that surveys 2,000 people to predict the percentage of votes each candidate will receive in an election.
• Mixed Methods Research: This approach combines both qualitative and quantitative methods in a single study. It provides a more
comprehensive understanding by integrating both the detailed insights from qualitative data and the broad -scale evidence from
quantitative data.
• Example: A health researcher first uses a quantitative survey to identify which age groups exercise the least, and then conducts
qualitative interviews with individuals in those groups to explore the reasons why.
Quantitative Method
• Quantitative methods are all about using numbers to understand
the world around us.
• It's a way of collecting and analyzing data that can be counted or
measured to find patterns, make predictions, and draw conclusions
about a larger group.
• Think of it as a systematic way of gathering evidence to answer
questions like "how many?", "how often?", and "how much?".
Survey / Questionnaires
• You survey 300 students at your university and ask them questions
such as: “on a scale from 1-5, how satisfied are your with your
professors?”
• You can perform statistical analysis on the data and draw
conclusions such as: “on average students rated their professors
4.4”.
• A coffee shop leaves out feedback cards asking customers to rate
their satisfaction with the service on a scale of 1 to 5.
• By collecting and averaging these scores, the shop can get a
numerical measure of its customer service.
Experimental Research
• Experiments are all about cause and effect. You change one thing
(the independent variable) to see if it has an impact on another thing
(the dependent variable).
• Example: You want to see if a new plant fertilizer really works. You
take two identical plants, give one the new fertilizer and the other just
water. After a few weeks, you measure the height of both plants. The
difference in height is a quantitative measure of the fertilizer's effect.
Correlational Research
• This method looks at the relationship between two or more variables.
It tells you if they are connected, but not necessarily that one causes
the other.
• Example: You might notice that on hot days, ice cream sales at a
local park go up. There's a positive correlation—as the
temperature increases, so do ice cream sales. However, the hot
weather is causing both, not that buying ice cream makes it hotter.
• Example: A researcher might collect data on the number of hours
students study and their final exam scores. By analyzing this data,
they can see if there is a correlation between study time and
academic performance.
Descriptive Research
• This type of research simply aims to describe a particular situation or
group. It provides a snapshot of "what is."
• Everyday Example: A school principal might want to know the
average number of hours students spend on homework each night.
They could survey a sample of students and calculate the average.
• Government Example: The national census is a massive
descriptive research project. It collects data on the age, gender,
income, and other characteristics of the entire population to create a
numerical profile of the country.
Quantitative Method and M&S
Modeling and simulation is a quantitative method that uses computers
to create a simplified, mathematical replica of a real-world system to
test "what if" scenarios and predict outcomes. It's a powerful way to
analyze complex situations without the cost, time, or risk of real-world
experimentation.
At its core, this method is fundamentally quantitative because it runs on
numbers. You build the model using numerical data (variables,
parameters, and rules) and the results you get from the simulation are
also numerical (statistics, probabilities, and forecasts).
Flood Risk Simulation for Bonifacio Global City (BGC).
Imagine urban planners in Taguig want to know how a future "super
typhoon" (e.g., one with 300mm of rainfall in 6 hours) would affect
BGC's drainage system.
Step 1: Gather Quantitative Data
First, you need hard numbers to build the digital model of BGC. This isn't
about opinions; it's about measurable facts.
• Topography Data: The precise elevation (in meters) of every street and
open area.
• Drainage System Specs: The diameter (in centimeters) and flow capacity
(in cubic meters per second) of all underground pipes.
• Surface Permeability: The percentage of surfaces that are non-absorbent
(like concrete and asphalt) versus absorbent (like parks and green spaces).
• Rainfall Data: The proposed rainfall intensity (e.g., 300mm over 6 hours).
Step 2: Build the Mathematical Model
This data is fed into a computer. The software uses mathematical
equations (like fluid dynamics) to create a set of rules that govern how
water will behave in this virtual environment. The model is essentially a
digital twin of BGC's drainage network and street layout.
Step 3: Run the Simulation
The simulation is the "action" part. The researchers input the typhoon
scenario and run the model. The computer then calculates, second-by-
second, how the virtual rainwater flows through the streets and pipes of
BGC.
• They can run multiple quantitative scenarios:
• Scenario A: What if rainfall is 300mm?
• Scenario B: What if the drainage system is 20% clogged?
• Scenario C: What if a new park is built, increasing green space by
10%?
Step 4: Analyze the Quantitative Output
The simulation produces, numerical results, not vague descriptions.
The output will be data like:
• "In Scenario A, Serendra and High Street will experience flooding of
0.5 meters for a duration of 45 minutes."
• "In Scenario B (clogged drains), flood levels in the same areas will
reach 1.2 meters and last for 3 hours."
• "In Scenario C, building the new park reduces the total flooded area
by 25%."
By using modeling and simulation, planners can
quantitatively assess risks, compare the effectiveness of
different flood control projects, and make evidence-
based decisions to improve the city's climate resilience—
all from a computer.
Modeling and Simulation
Simulation Tools
Janice Pola D. Congzon
1st Semester AY 2025 - 2026
• A wide array of software programs are available for modeling and
simulation, each tailored to specific needs and industries. These
tools allow users to create virtual representations of systems and
processes to analyze their behavior, test different scenarios, and
predict outcomes. The choice of software often depends on the
complexity of the system being modeled, the required level of detail,
and the specific industry application.
Engineering and Physical Systems
• Finite Element Analysis (FEA): This type of software is used to simulate how a product reacts to real-world forces, vibration,
heat, and other physical effects. It breaks down a complex object into smaller, simpler "elements" to perform the analysis.
Examples: ANSYS, Abaqus, COMSOL Multiphysics, and the open-source CalculiX.
• Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD): CFD software simulates fluid flow, heat transfer, and related phenomena. It's essential
for designing everything from airplanes to HVAC systems.
Examples: ANSYS Fluent, Siemens STAR-CCM+, and the open-source OpenFOAM.
• Multibody Dynamics: This software simulates the motion of interconnected bodies. It's crucial for designing and analyzing
mechanical systems like vehicle suspensions, robotic arms, and engines.
Examples: Adams, Simscape Multibody (part of MATLAB), and RecurDyn.
• Circuit Simulation: Used in electronics to prototype and verify the behavior of electronic circuits and systems before
manufacturing.
Examples: SPICE, NI Multisim, and LTspice.
Process and System-Level Simulation
• Discrete-Event Simulation (DES): DES models a system as a sequence of distinct
events over time. It's ideal for analyzing systems with queues, like manufacturing lines,
call centers, or supply chains.
Examples: Arena, Simio, FlexSim, and the open-source Python library SimPy.
• System Dynamics (SD): This approach models the behavior of complex systems over
time using feedback loops, stocks, and flows. It's often used for strategic modeling in
areas like business, ecology, and social sciences.
Examples: Vensim, Stella, and the web-based Insight Maker.
• Agent-Based Modeling (ABM): ABM simulates the actions and interactions of
autonomous agents (like people, vehicles, or organizations) to understand the behavior of
the system as a whole. It's widely used in social sciences, economics, and biology.
Examples: AnyLogic, NetLogo, and Repast.
General-Purpose and Multiphysics
Environments
• MATLAB/Simulink: A widely used environment for numerical
computation, algorithm development, and data analysis. Simulink
provides a graphical interface for modeling and simulating dynamic
systems.
• AnyLogic: A unique tool that supports three major simulation
methods: discrete-event, agent-based, and system dynamics, all
within a single platform.
• COMSOL Multiphysics: A powerful platform focused on simulating
coupled phenomena, allowing users to model how different physical
effects interact with each other.
Simulation With General-Purpose
Programming
End of Lesson.