You say it is physical, I say it is functional; let us call the whole thing off! Simulation: an application divided by lack of common language

Abstract

Simulations are utilised in various domains for purposes of training, research, education and entertainment. Continuing technological advancement, along with a striving for higher levels of immersion, transfer and user satisfaction has driven the design of increasingly complex simulators. Economic viability, portability and usability of such simulators have simultaneously decreased, prompting a contemporary examination of simulator fidelity. Simulator fidelity is a poorly understood construct, notorious for its lack of clear definition. A wide range of terminology is used interchangeably, with subtle differences in the functionality of the language used not always clearly outlined. In the current manuscript, a comprehensive review of the literature informs clear definitions of fidelity, validity and transfer; the terms used are included in a definitions table and their connectivity outlined in a knowledge tree. The aim is to promote usage of clearly interpretable standardised terminology by professionals and researchers alike. The boundaries of the current work are acknowledged. It is suggested that future research should examine constructs such as fidelity, transfer and validity in relation to computational, robotic and automation simulation. The most immediate extension of the current work should capture a requirement to develop effective training interventions to govern operator use of automation using interactive simulation.

Keywords:

• Simulation
• fidelity
• validity
• transfer
• automation

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Defence Human Capability Science & Technology Centre [TIN 3.228].

Notes on contributors

Aaron P. J. Roberts

Aaron Peter James Roberts received the B.Sc. degree in psychology and the Ph.D. degree in applied cognitive psychology from the University of Liverpool, Liverpool, U.K., in 2007 and 2012, respectively. He is currently a Senior Research Fellow in human factors at the University of Southampton, Southampton, U.K. His current research focuses on the cognitive capacities of humans, in particular what changes occur during situations of increased demand. He has examined the cognitive function of paramedics, pilots, submariners, fire service personnel, police officers and nurses in simulated operational environments.

Neville A. Stanton

Neville A. Stanton received the B.Sc. degree in psychology from the University of Hull, Hull, U.K., in 1986, the M.Phil. degree in applied psychology and the Ph.D. degree in human factors engineering from Aston University, Birmingham, U.K., in 1990 and 1993, respectively, and the D.Sc. degree in human factors engineering from the University of Southampton, Southampton, U.K., in 2014. He is both a Chartered Psychologist registered with the British Psychological Society and a Chartered Engineer registered with the Institution of Engineering and Technology, U.K. His research interests include team working in dynamic command and control tasks, development and validation of human factors methods, analysis and investigation of accidents, design of human–machine ­interaction, and investigation of human performance in highly automated systems.

Katherine L. Plant

Dr Katherine L. Plant, PhD, BSc is a new frontiers fellow in human factors engineering in the Transportation Research Group (TRG) within the Faculty of Engineering and the Environment at the University of Southampton, UK. Katherine’s primary research interests center on understanding how the interaction of the environment we work in and the mental schema that we hold influence our actions and decision-making processes.

Daniel T. Fay

Daniel Fay received the B.Sc. degree in Applied Computing from the University of Bath, Bath, UK, in 2014. Daniel is currently a ComTET Project Computing Technician at the University of Southampton, Southampton, UK. His research interests center around Software Engineering and Human Computer Interaction.

Kiome A. Pope

Kiome A. Pope received the B.Sc. degree in psychology from the University of Southampton, Southampton, U.K., in 2017. She is currently an Experimental Support Technician in human factors at the University of Southampton, Southampton, U.K. Her research interests include human-machine interaction, attitudes towards automation, and teamwork.