Figure 1.

Three spectra for characterizing the explanation of a phenomenon. (a) This spectrum illustrates relative relationships among the three Model of explanation types (I–III) described in Figure 2. (b) Specifying an approximate location on this spectrum provides a clear, relativistic assessment about the strength of knowledge and information that is available to characterize the phenomenon. Independent of location, credibility is increased by making explicit information on (1) how the phenomenon has been measured, along with (2) details about temporal measurements of entities and activities thought to be contributing to its generation. Assessments of uncertainties further increase credibility. (c) Specifying an approximate location on this spectrum characterizes what is currently known or hypothesized about (1) how the phenomenon may be (or is) generated, (2) information about actual mechanism features listed in Table 1 and their orchestration, plus (3) simulation details illustrated that characterize the four types of computational models of explanation (IV–VII). Making that information explicit is essential for increasing credibility. There is often a correlation between characterization and locations on this spectrum and location on spectra b and c. For example, having locations on b and c that are right of center enables an Analogous-mechanism Model to be more biomimetic. Explanations that use mechanism analogies often have more centric locations on b and c.