Research Methodology in the Human Sciences

“Model” is one of the foundational concepts in the philosophy of science and contemporary epistemology. From a human-centered perspective, a model is a “system of thought,” and modeling is the “design of a system for thinking.” Models are highly useful in describing and predicting phenomena. A model may be defined as a symbolic representation of an environment or the real world, aimed at forecasting outcomes, exploring executable options, and selecting the best alternative. In essence, a model is a simplified representation of a complex structure (system). Due to the internal interactions among its components and their external interaction with the environment, such structures often exhibit varied and sometimes complex behaviors. The purpose of modeling is to enhance our understanding of complex phenomena and processes in the external world. In reality, a model is an analytical tool that enables us to grasp not the entirety of reality, but its meaningful and intelligible segments.