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Sources of Uncertainty (from Morgan and Henrion ). Jake Blanchard Spring 2010. Types of events. Subjective probability distributions are only suitable for certain types of events Empirical Quantities – measurable properties of real-world systems
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Sources of Uncertainty (from Morgan and Henrion) Jake Blanchard Spring 2010 Uncertainty Analysis for Engineers
Types of events • Subjective probability distributions are only suitable for certain types of events • Empirical Quantities – measurable properties of real-world systems • Constants – fundamental physical constants (certain by definition) • Decision Variables – quantities over which the decision maker exercises direct control • Value Parameters – aspects of the preferences of decision makers (eg. risk tolerance or value of life) Uncertainty Analysis for Engineers
Event Types (cont.) • Index Variables – identify a location or cell in the spatial or temporal domain (eg. a particular year or geographical grid) • Model Domain Parameters – specify domain or scope of system (eg. Last year modeled, spatial extent of model, etc.) • State Variables – minimal subset of all variables from which all other variables can be calculated • Outcome Criteria – variables used to rank outcomes Uncertainty Analysis for Engineers
Sources of Uncertainty – Empirical Quantities • Statistical variation – random error in direct measurement • Systematic error – difference between true value of a measured quantity and mean of measured values • Linguistic imprecision – (“Pat is tall” vs. “Pat is over 6 feet tall”) • Variability – (eg retail price of gasoline or flow rate of a river) • Randomness – variation that cannot be attributed to a pattern or model (function of available knowledge) Uncertainty Analysis for Engineers
Uncertainty About Model Form • If we pick wrong model (eg normal vs. beta distribution), errors will result Uncertainty Analysis for Engineers