Principles and philosophy of modeling in biomedical research

^a Department of Radiological Sciences, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California 90095–17215, USA
^b Department of Radiology, College of Physicians & Surgeons of Columbia University, New York, New York 10032, USA
^c Department of Physics, University of Dallas, Dallas, Texas 75062, USA
^d Department of Anesthesiology, College of Physicians & Surgeons of Columbia University, New York, New York 10032, USA
^e Department of Neurosurgery, College of Physicians & Surgeons of Columbia University, New York, New York 10032, USA
^f Department of Electrical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027, USA

Despite widespread applications in biomedical research, the role of models and modeling is often controversial and ill understood. It is usual to find that fundamental definitions, axioms, and postulates used in the modeling process have become tacit assumptions. What is essential, however, is a clear vision of the fundamental principles of modeling. This is even more compelling for new and emerging interdisciplinary fields that use techniques from previously separate scientific disciplines. This article outlines and reviews the central nature and philosophy of modeling, the rules that govern it, and its underlying key integral relationship to the `scientific method'. A comprehensive understanding of these issues is indispensable to successful research and meaningful progress in all facets of biomedicine.—Massoud, T. F., Hademenos, G. J., Young, W. L., Gao, E., Pile-Spellman, J., Viñuela, F. Principles and philosophy of modeling in biomedical research. FASEB J. 12, 275–285 (1998)

Key Words: models • biological • experimental design • philosophy • medical

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