While scientific models are often thought of as "descriptive" and as mainly designed to generate predictions, in fact scientific models can be constructed for many and varied purposes. Like formal languages, scientific models are conventional representations designed for better understanding and communication. Just as languages have many uses, only some...
This paper discusses some results from a regional study of the proper roles of ecological research scientists in
natural resource decision-making. The study was conducted in the Pacific Northwest by researchers at Oregon State
University and focuses on scientists involved in the Long Term Ecological Research Program (LTER). Using data...