Conceptual Model

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ENV-006059",
  "term": "Conceptual Model",
  "field": "Environment",
  "definition": "1. A written description or illustrated picture of the geologic, hydrogeologic, or environmental conditions of a particular area.\n\n2. A hypothesis regarding the important factors that govern the behavior of an object or process of interest. This can be an interpretation or working description of the characteristics and dynamics of a physical system.\n\n3. Describes a series of working hypotheses of how the stressor might affect ecological components. Describes ecosystem or ecosystem components potentially at risk, and the relationships between measurement and assessment endpoints and exposure scenarios.\n\n4. In the ESRP, a written description, visual representation and/or electronically-linked description of known, suspected or predicted relationships among causes and effects. Conceptual models can be used to link any or all components in the causal chain between a management action and an outcome that matters to people (human actions, stressors, ecological entities, ecosystem services and human well-being). (generalized from: U.S. EPA 1998)\n\n5. A graphic depiction of the causal pathways linking sources and effects, that ultimately is used to communicate why some pathways are unlikely and others are very likely.\n\n6. A \"conceptual model describes a series of working hypotheses of how the stressor might affect ecological components. The conceptual model also describes the ecosystem potentially at risk, the relationship between measurement [endpoints] and assessment endpoints, and exposure scenarios\" (RAF 1992, 37).\n\n7. A diagram or written description of the predicted key relationships between the stressor(s) and the assessment endpoint(s) for a risk assessment.\n\n8. A conceptual model in problem formulation is a written description and visual representation of predicted relationships between ecological entities and the stressors to which they may be exposed.\n\n9. A written description and/or a visual representation of actual or predicted relationships between humans or ecological entities and the chemicals or other stressors to which they may be exposed.\n\n10. The conceptual model describes a series of working hypotheses of how the stressor might affect ecological entities. The conceptual model also describes the ecosystem potentially at risk, the relationship between measures of effect and assessment endpoints, and exposure scenarios.\n\n11. A visual presentation of the proposed structure of the risk assessment model showing data needs, model outputs, and logical flow of the calculations.\n\n12. A hypothesis regarding the important factors that govern the behavior of an object or process of interest. This can be an interpretation or working description of the characteristics and dynamics of a physical system (EPA 1994b).\n\n13. A diagram or written description of the predicted key relationships between the stressor(s) and the assessment endpoint(s) for a risk assessment. [EPA 1997b]\n\n14. A conceptual model in problem formulation is a written description and visual representation of predicted relationships between ecological entities and the stressors to which they may be exposed. [EPA 1998a][Thesaurus of Terms Used in Microbial Risk Assessment]\n\n15. A written description and/or a visual representation of actual or predicted relationships between humans or ecological entities and the chemicals or other stressors to which they may be exposed. [EPA 2004]\n\n16. A conceptual model depicts the purpose, defines the scope and scale, determines appropriate variables and identifies data needed for risk assessment. It can also serve as a preliminary or exploratory risk assessment. [ILSI 2000 text]\n\n17. A visual presentation of the proposed structure of the risk assessment model showing data needs, model outputs, and logical flow of the calculations. [FDA 2002]\n\n18. The conceptual model describes a series of working hypotheses of how the stressor might affect ecological entities. The conceptual model also describes the ecosystem potentially at risk, the relationship between measures of effect and assessment endpoints, and exposure scenarios. [CENR 1999]",
  "subject": "Science and research",
  "references": [
    "Underground Storage Tank Sites Guide Glossary",
    "Modeling Glossary",
    "Waste and Cleanup Risk Assessment Glossary",
    "Core Ecosystem Services Research Program Standard Lexicon",
    "CADDIS Glossary",
    "Environmental Modeling and Assessment Program (EMAP) Master Glossary",
    "EPA 1997b",
    "EPA 1998a; N-STEPS Online Glossary of Terms",
    "EPA 2004",
    "CENR 1999",
    "FDA 2002",
    "EPA Guidance on the Development, Evaluation and Application of Environmental Models EPA/100/K-09/003 | March 2009 at http://www.epa.gov/crem/library/cred_guidance_0309.pdf",
    "Thesaurus of Terms Used in Microbial Risk Assessment",
    "NSTEPS Online Glossary"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/environment/conceptual-model/"
}