Sensitivity Analysis

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ENV-025226",
  "term": "Sensitivity Analysis",
  "field": "Environment",
  "definition": "1. The computation of the effect of changes in input values or assumptions (including boundaries and model functional form) on the outputs. The study of how uncertainty in a model output can be systematically apportioned to different sources of uncertainty in the model input. By investigating the \"relative sensitivity\" of model parameters, a user can become knowledgeable of the relative importance of parameters in the model.\n\n2. A systematic evaluation process for describing the effect of variations of inputs to a system on the output.\n\n3. Process of changing one variable while leaving the others constant to determine its effect on the output. This procedure fixes each uncertain quantity at its credible lower and upper bounds (holding all others at their nominal values, such as medians) and computes the results of each combination of values. The results help to identify the variables that have the greatest effect on exposure estimates and help focus further information-gathering efforts.\n\n4. A means to determine the robustness of a mathematical model or analysis (such as a cost-effectiveness analysis or decision analysis) that tests a plausible range of estimates of key independent variables (e.g., costs, outcomes, probabilities of events) to determine if such variations make meaningful changes the results of the analysis. Sensitivity analysis also can be performed for other types of study; e.g., clinical trials analysis (to see if inclusion/exclusion of certain data changes results) and meta-analysis (to see if inclusion/exclusion of certain studies changes results).\n\n5. An analysis of alternative results based on variations in assumptions; a \"what if\" analysis.\n\n6. A means to determine the robustness of a mathematical model or analysis (such as a cost-effectiveness analysis or decision analysis) that tests a plausible range of estimates of key independent variables (e.g., costs, outcomes, probabilities of events) to determine if such variations make meaningful changes the results of the analysis. Sensitivity analysis also can be performed for other types of study; e.g., clinical trials analysis (to see if inclusion/exclusion of certain data changes results) and meta-analysis (to see if inclusion/exclusion of certain studies changes results). [NLM/NICHSR 2004]\n\n7. A method used to examine the behavior of a model by measuring the variation in its outputs resulting from changes to its inputs. [CAC 1999, FAO/WHO 2003b]\n\n8. Process of changing one variable while leaving the others constant to determine its effect on the output. This procedure fixes each uncertain quantity at its credible lower and upper bounds (holding all others at their nominal values, such as medians) and computes the results of each combination of values. The results help to identify the variables that have the greatest effect on exposure estimates and help focus further information gathering efforts. [EPA 1997a]\n\n9. Used to determine which parameters and exposures have the most impact on an exposure estimate.",
  "subject": "Science and research",
  "references": [
    "Modeling Glossary",
    "Lifecycle Assessment Principles and Practices Glossary",
    "Exposure Factors Handbook: Glossary; EPA 1997a",
    "NLM/NICHSR 2004",
    "Water Conservation Plan Guidelines Glossary; Water Conservation Glossary",
    "Thesaurus of Terms Used in Microbial Risk Assessment",
    "EPA ExpoBox Terminology"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/environment/sensitivity-analysis/"
}