Dynamic Systems Science Modeling for Public Health

描述(由申请人提供)：由于卫生研究人员对系统科学方法的强烈和持久的兴趣，对这些技能的需求远远超过了能够教授这些技能的教师的供应。我们建议在这里创建、评估、改进和传播一门公共卫生的动态系统科学建模课程，代表了系统动力学和基于代理的建模的流行方法。该课程将利用申请者团队在教授和传播动态系统科学材料方面的强大和多样的背景和经验，(1)在一个计划中开发和实施一个为期1周的动态系统科学方法研讨会，该计划有吸引对系统科学动态方法感兴趣的学生的记录，(2)反复评估和改进该课程，以实现最大的影响和可获得性；以及(3)将课程打包为一套独立的材料，可用于公共健康教育，而不需要系统科学专家作为教师。课程材料将使用互动练习和实用的结构化机制，向学生介绍系统科学的基本动机、模型的概念、优势和局限性、问题框架和范围界定、两种动态系统科学方法的基本观点和模型“构件”、两种方法共同的共同过程的讨论--如灵敏度分析和模型测试--以及利用动态模型利用数据的各种方式，以及准备要出版的模型。有针对性的晋升和慷慨分配的专项奖学金将有助于确保代表不足的群体在其美国目标受众中得到很好的代表。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Because of the strong and persistent interest in systems science methods among health researchers, the demand for these skills far outstrips the supply of instructors able to teach them. We propose here the creation, evaluation, refinement and dissemination of a course on Dynamic Systems Science Modeling for Public Health, representing the popular approaches of both System Dynamics and Agent-Based Modeling. The course will leverage the strong and varied background and experience of the applicant team in teaching and disseminating dynamic systems science materials to (1) develop and implement a 1-week workshop on dynamic systems science methods in a program with a track record of drawing students interested in dynamic methods in systems science, (2) iteratively evaluate and refine this curriculum for maximum impact and accessibility; and (3) package the curriculum for broad distribution as a set of stand-alone materials that can be used in public health education without requiring a systems science expert as faculty. Course materials will use interactive exercises and practical, structured mechanisms to introduce students to basic motivations for systems science, the notions, strengths and limitations of models, problem framing and scoping, the basic perspective and model "building blocks" of each of the two dynamic systems science approaches, discussion of common processes - such as sensitivity analysis and model testing - common to both approaches, varied ways of leveraging data with a dynamic model, and preparing models for publication. Targeted promotion and a generous allocation of earmarked scholarships will help ensure that under-represented groups are well- represented among its US-based target audience.