Qualitative knowledge-based review

A third technique that a developer can use to test ES code involves simulation. Simulators can test entire systems or parts of systems and are similar to drivers. A simulator approach is more functionally oriented than a driver in that a simulator usually will be utilized to test a call for a conventional language or package (e.g., LOTUS), whereas a driver is interested in values or a specific ES element. Simulators can also generate data input for real-time testing of ES code. Use of a simulator test approach, particularly just prior to integration and installation, allows for initial data and information to be generated for Method III which is the qualitative knowledge-base review approach. 

Specific knowledge-base verification procedures (qualitative review). 

The qualitative review of knowledge bases is a major issue facing expert-system developers. It is sometimes referred to as knowledge-... 

Based on this experience it was decided to take a different and more qualitative approach for this study. It consists in reviewing economic and energy indicators of a fairly large number of countries, using the knowledge available on the country (from questionnaire responses, past IAEA missions and new SMPR-specific missions, IBRD reports etc). 

Qualitative reviews are team studies based on the generic experience of knowledgeable personnel and do not involve mathematical estimations. Overall these reviews are essentially checklist reviews in which questions or process parameters are used to prompt discussions of the process design and operations that would develop into an incident scenario of interest due to an identified risk. 

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