Summary
This qualitative study examines the social and institutional factors influencing hydrological modelling practice by interviewing 14 modellers across three research institutes. The research reveals that peer experience, team norms, and local context—rather than purely scientific reasoning—predominantly drive critical modelling decisions, with implications for model reproducibility and robustness. The findings suggest that hydrological models are social constructs shaped by time- and place-specific circumstances, necessitating transparent procedures and explicit documentation of modelling vision to enable robust assessment across diverse approaches.
UK applicability
Whilst this study focuses on hydrological modelling practice, its findings on institutional influences and social construction of technical decisions are likely applicable to UK water resource management and environmental modelling. The recommendation for transparent procedures and explicit modelling vision aligns with UK policy emphasis on evidence-based environmental decision-making, though the geographic specificity of the original study sample limits direct transferability to UK institutional contexts.
Key measures
Frequency and categorisation of motivations for modelling decisions; distinction between institutionalisation and internalisation processes; comparison of motivations for model selection versus model studies
Outcomes reported
The study identified 83 distinct motivations for hydrological modelling decisions through structured interviews with 14 modellers across three institutes. It documented how experience from colleagues, institutional practices, and local context shape model selection and application rather than epistemic considerations alone.
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