Validation of multicriteria analysis models

Validation procedures play an important role in establishing the credibilit y of models, improving their relevance and acceptability. This article revi ews the testing of models relevant to environmental and natural resource ma nagement with particular emphasis on models used in multicriteria analysis (MCA). Validation efforts for a model used in a MCA catchment management st udy in North Queensland, Australia, are presented. Determination of face va lidity is found to be a useful approach in evaluating this model, and sensi tivity analysis is useful in checking the stability of the model. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.