Fitting a Model to Data
Demonstrate the following steps in fitting a model to data.
- Formulate
the key problem or question. (Show you understand the problem.)
- Communicate
your preconceptions.
- Discuss
the limitations, assumptions, and scope of your investigation.
- Collect
or organize data.
- Analyze
and interpret data.
- Choose
and fit an appropriate model by varying parameters and testing goodness of
fit by an identified numberical criterion (sum of errors, average error,
percent error).
- Validate,
summarize and report findings. (Reflect, describe, formulate, evaluate,
support, generalize, and suggest.)
Below are listed some actions to avoid in the model
development phases. However, those
actions may be employed in the evaluation or critique of your model if you give
reference credit to the device, software, or source:
o
The use of a calculator’s or software application’s
pre-programmed curve fitting procedures.
o
Copying a formula or rule from a reference source.