In this volume the author provides a definition of the technique of simulation in order to examine the relevance of this technique for research in the social sciences. He looks into the philosophical and epistemological bases of simulation, examines its intellectual roots, and illustrates its use in a variety of disciplines--economics, political science, sociology, education, psychology, anthropology, and law. He shows how the technique may be used as an aid to theory building; and how it has been applied to training, teaching, and experimental research. He discusses a means of assessing the validity of simulations and demonstrates the interrelated qualities of usefulness and validity. A bibliography and a subject index are provided. (JY)