Metamodels, Response Functions, and Research Efficiency in Ecological Economics
探讨通过构建元模型（对模拟模型输出进行统计建模）来提高环境政策分析的研究效率，并以除草剂污染政策评估系统为例说明其必要性。
Analysis of alternative environmental policies often requires execution of computer simulation models of the ecological or economic phenomena involved. This paper explores efficiencies to be gained by using these simulation models in a program of constructing metamodels. Constructing a metamodel involves statistical modeling of a simulation model's output--creating a model of a model. Metamodeling produces response functions that characterize relationships implied by the structure of a simulation model relating variables that appear to be important to policy evaluation. We first make the case for the research efficiency of metamodeling by discussing an integrated policy evaluation system designed for herbicide pollution policies (CEEPES) that could not have been constructed without metamodels. Next, we illustrate the metamodeling concept by describing a particular metamodel from the system.