Abstract
Most scientists would agree if we describe models, by paraphrasing Picasso’s words, as “lies that help us to see the truth”. Models are incomplete representations of reality, but they help to reveal important features of natural and biological phenomena and, in certain cases, they lead to useful predictions. Successful models are based on physically meaningful concepts and adequate mathematical formulations. Reliable prediction requires accurate estimation of model parameters from the available information. The S/TRF model provides a flexible representation of environmental health processes that incorporates the natural and biological variabilities of such processes with mathematical power.
“The mind is not a vessel to be filled but afire to be kindled”.
Plutarch
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1998 Springer Science+Business Media New York
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Christakos, G., Hristopulos, D.T. (1998). Modelling Exposure Heterogeneities. In: Spatiotemporal Environmental Health Modelling: A Tractatus Stochasticus . Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-2811-8_4
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-2811-8_4
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-5048-2
Online ISBN: 978-1-4757-2811-8
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive