LVC&G-AED: Live Virtual Constructive and Game Assisted Experimental Design

Many individuals are involved with the creation of a Live Virtual Constructive & Gaming (LVC & G) simulator and scenarios, from simulator programmers to subject matter experts. However, there is currently no systematic method for evaluating modifications or additions to simulation environments from these multiple perspectives. To meet this need, Aptima proposes to develop LVC & G-AED (Live Virtual Constructive & Game - Assisted Experimental Designer), an interface and software solution that will guide individuals through the ten-step research process from defining the research question, choosing variables of interest, and developing relevant measures. This process is both sufficiently high level to capture the questions of the various personnel involved in simulation development, and sufficiently rigorous to ensure that specific research questions are addressed. The primary focus of Phase I is to create a Research Question Decomposer that will guide users in creating a valid research study. Situational Calculus and Partially Observable Markov Decision Process algorithms will be developed to explore the state space of the simulator and the research paradigm. The LVC & G-AED will be usable by any individual regardless of background to create experimental scenarios.