Towards a unified theory of validation

The modeling and simulation (M&S) literature is rich with procedures, standards, conceptual frameworks, and M&S-related theories that provide frames of reference for M&S validation. However, these works are disjoint, leading to inconsistencies: common terms used differently, differing terms for similar concepts, varying degrees of detail, and conflicting assumptions. There is no single, unifying frame of reference for validation. This has restricted the development of a common theoretical and practical understanding of validation across the M&S field. This paper introduces the concept of a validation frame of reference; builds a taxonomy of using frames of reference found in the validation literature; and proposes the creation of a unifying theoretical framework for M&S validation to build a foundation for the development of a paradigm of common theoretical and practical understanding of validation across the M&S field.