Fidelity, Verifiability, and Validity of Simulation: Constructs for Evaluation

Abstract

Although instructional research on simulation has been around for almost 40 years, very little headway has been made on the creation of an academically acceptable methodology for evaluating this type of learning environment. Several comprehensive reviews of simulation assessment literature have all concluded that this problem stems from poorly designed studies, the lack of a generally accepted research taxonomy, and no well defined constructs with which to assess learning outcomes. In an effort to assist in the development of a simulation evaluation taxonomy, this paper focuses on identifying, defining, and explaining key concepts within three of the most important constructs of simulation evaluation – fidelity, verifiability, and validity. KEY WORDS: simulation fidelity, simulation verifiability, simulation validity