Dear Colleagues,
We are delighted to announce the launch of the Journal of Simulation (JOS) – Model Reproducibility Initiative (JOS-MRI).
Beginning in December 2025, authors will have the opportunity to submit their models and data alongside their research papers for evaluation by Model Reproducibility Editors and their teams. Successful assessments will be recognised through the award of JOS-MRI Badges, signifying excellence in model transparency, reproducibility, and reusability.
The four JOS-MRI Badges are:
(1) Open Research Object: Models submitted for assessment are available in a public repository and distributed under standard open licences. This badge applies to all relevant artefacts, including code, data, models developed in commercial software, and supplementary materials such as scripts.
(2) Research Object Reviewed: Models are reviewed by the JOS-MRI Editors and their teams to confirm that the artefacts are functional and accurately reflect the implementation details reported in the associated paper.
(3) Results Reproduced: The submitted models are executed and tested by the JOS-MRI Editors and their teams to verify that the reported results can be successfully reproduced.
(4) Research Object Reusable: The submitted artefacts are evaluated for their reusability, using established frameworks such as Sharing Tools and Artefacts for Reusable Simulations (STARS), STrengthening the Reporting of Empirical Simulation Studies (STRESS), Overview, Design concepts and Details (ODD) protocol for agent-based models and System Dynamics Model Documentation and Assessment (SDM-Doc).
Badges will be awarded upon acceptance of the paper for publication in JOS. Multiple badges may be granted to acknowledge different aspects of adherence to Open Science principles. Each paper will be accompanied by a JOS-MRI report prepared by the Reproducibility Editor and their team, and the awarded badges will appear in both the online and print versions of the article.
The official launch of the initiative will take place during the JOS Editorial Board Meeting at the Winter Simulation Conference 2025 (December 7–10, Seattle).
For further information on JOS-MRI, please visit: https://www.theorsociety.com/ORS/Publications/JOS-MRI.aspx
For further information on JOS Africa Focus initiative, please visit: https://www.theorsociety.com/ORS/ORS/Publications/JOS-Africa-Focus-Initiative.aspx
Best regards,
Nav
Navonil Mustafee, Ph.D.
Professor of Analytics and Operations Management
Centre for Simulation, Analytics and Modelling (CSAM)
University of Exeter Business School
+44 (0) 1392 725661 I n.mustafee@exeter.ac.uk
Co-Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Simulation (JOS) — a journal of The Operational Research (OR) Society