Improving Process Descriptions in Research by Model-Based Analysis

Abstract

In research, process descriptions provide causal mechanisms and context as a basis for establishing phenomena and enabling reproducibility and generalization, and are therefore considered essential to scientific progress. Process descriptions are a principle form of describing systems. However, process descriptions are typically unstructured and complex, presenting challenges with respect to the assessment of their quality, and eventually to their usability. Inspired by modern systems engineering approaches, we propose a model-based analysis approach to analyze complex process descriptions, and consequently improve the communicability and the applicability of said processes. We apply the approach to real-life case studies, and detail its contribution. Finally, we discuss how using the model-based approach can promote the quality of research-related process descriptions, specifically for supporting evaluation of research publications as well as for describing processes by the researchers themselves.