Methods Overview¶
This section documents the conceptual structure, interpretive logic, governance posture, and explicit limits of the Public Diplomacy Simulation Lab (PDSL).
PDSL is a deterministic, theory-constrained simulation framework designed for controlled scenario reasoning in public diplomacy contexts. It is not a forecasting system and does not support empirical causal inference or operational decision-making.
Version Note
Model semantics are frozen at v1.1 and are stable for citation. Engine architecture was modularized in v0.2.0 — a non-semantic internal change with no effect on outputs or interpretive logic.
The documents below are organized to support academic review, policy analysis, and methodological transparency, while maintaining a strict separation from the simulation engine and its implementation.
Core documents¶
Reviewer Start Here¶
A single-page orientation for first-time reviewers: live demo, model card, canonical test vector, and governance proof — all in one place.
Model Card¶
Defines purpose, intended use, non-claims, assumptions, high-level inputs/outputs, and canonical test vector reference.
Methods Note¶
Provides a public-citable methods narrative describing outcome channels, regime-based interpretation, governance posture, and version discipline — without exposing engine mechanics.
Review Protocol¶
Specifies documentation-only review expectations and guardrails for interpreting outputs.
Governance¶
Describes disclosure boundaries, semantic integrity enforcement, version discipline, and separation between public/review and private/commercial tracks.
Limitations¶
Enumerates explicit constraints and non-claims to prevent misuse or over-interpretation.
Reading order (recommended)¶
- Reviewer Start Here
- Model Card
- Methods Note
- Review Protocol
- Governance
- Limitations