Final answer:
Validating a computer simulation can be done by comparing its results to experimental data and using sensitivity analysis to ensure logical outcomes with perturbed parameters.
Step-by-step explanation:
There are two different ways of validating a computer simulation. One way is by comparing the simulation results with real-world experimental data. If the simulation can replicate the results of actual experiments or observations, it increases its validity. For example, a simulation of a biological system should ideally reflect the outcomes observed in real biological organisms or tissues under similar conditions.
Another method to validate simulations is through the use of sensitivity analysis. This involves varying the parameters within the simulation to see how changes impact the outcome. If the simulation consistently demonstrates logical and proportionate changes in outcomes with varied inputs, it can be deemed more reliable. This can especially apply to computer-based models such as those predicting planet formation, where a scientist might alter the amount or type of rocks present in space within the simulation to test different scenarios.