2134/28386 Naoum Tsioptsias Naoum Tsioptsias Antuela Tako Antuela Tako Stewart Robinson Stewart Robinson Can we learn from wrong simulation models? A preliminary experimental study on user learning Loughborough University 2018 Discrete-event simulation Wrong models Simple models Complexity Behavioural operational research Business and Management not elsewhere classified 2018-02-05 15:12:40 Conference contribution https://repository.lboro.ac.uk/articles/conference_contribution/Can_we_learn_from_wrong_simulation_models_A_preliminary_experimental_study_on_user_learning/9499517 A number of authors believe that wrong models can be useful, providing learning opportunities for their users. This paper details an experiment on model complexity, investigating differences in learning after using a simplified versus an adequate version of the same model. Undergraduate students were asked to solve a resource utilization task for an ambulance service. The treatment variables were defined as the model types used (complex, simple, and no model). Two questionnaires (before and after the process) and a presentation captured participants' attitudes towards the solution. Results suggest differences in learning were not significant, while simple model users demonstrated a better understanding of the problem. This paper consists of a preliminary behavioural operational research study that contributes towards identifying the value of wrong simulation models from the perspective of model users.