Modellers as influencers? Analysing practices and standards in hydrodynamic decision-support modelling

Summary

Knowledge and data are cornerstones of many current-day societies in the world. Computer models, as a way to create knowledge, are used throughout science and practice, for many applications and within many disciplines. Throughout the modelling process, uncertainty is introduced, which might lead to differences in results. A factor introducing differences in the model results is the variation in modelling practices, as choosing a method introduces differences in results. To be able to put the results in perspective, it is important to understand how decisions within the modelling process are made. As a modeller makes these modelling decisions based on their own context, inter-modeller variability occurs. Standardisation is one potential way to counter the inter-modeller variability. In water management, several standards have been explored. Within this thesis, I explore the motivations modellers have for making decisions during the modelling process and the modellers’ perspectives towards standardisation approaches.