Operations Research

Help from a Librarian
DoD and Other Government OR Sites
Electronic Books
Reference Sources, FAQs, Web Sites, Bibliographies
Technical Reports, Theses, Preprints & Background Papers
Organizations

Legend

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- Army Knowledge Online	- Navy Knowledge Online	- Air Force Portal

The following links are provided for research and information purposes only to be used by students, faculty and staff.

This page provides links and reference sources for Operations Research and related topics. Items not available online in their full-text formats should be searched on BOSUN, the Library's online catalog. Materials not accessible online or in the online catalog may be requested via Interlibrary Loan.

Accessing Resources Limited to NPS Personnel

Any NPS student, faculty or staff member with a blue library card can access most of those resources identified on any of the Library's web pages as "NPS Domain Only" (indicated by the library's logo NPS next to the name of the resource) from off campus. For more information, please see our Proxy Server Information page. When you click on most NPS Domain Only resources from off campus, you will be automatically brought to a proxy server login screen and prompted for your id and password. Your id is the same as your NPS network login. Your password is the handwritten PIN on your library card. If you do not have an NPS network login, please contact our circulation desk at circdesk@nps.edu or (831)656-2947.In addition to those resources that are restricted to NPS Domain Only, we have a few that require a password. To access resources that require a password, please contact the Research Assistance Desk at (831)656-2485, e-mail us at refdesk@nps.edu, or fill out the Ask a Librarian form.

Help from a Librarian

The Operations Research Subject Specialists/Research Assistance Librarians can provide specific assistance, such as: consult with you individually by appointment to discuss resources and search strategies; provide curriculum or course-specific library tours and instruction in the library or in your classroom; select books, journals, databases and other materials for library purchase; notify you about relevant web sites, journal articles and other resources.
Jeff Rothal, Operations Research Specialist

DoD and Other Government OR Sites

Air Force Agency for Modeling & Simulation (AFAMS)
Supports implementation and use of the Joint Synthetic Battlespace by: implementing AF/DoD M&S policy and standards; managing, coordinating, and integrating major AF M&S programs and initiatives; supporting corporate Air Force M&S operations; and promoting and supporting technology improvements.

Air Force Institute of Technology's Center for Modeling, Simulation, and Analysis
The AFIT Center for Modeling, Simulation and Analysis (CMS&A) is a focal point for funded research for AFIT's Operational Sciences Department. CMS&A conducts relevant DoD focused research for governmental and public organizations, to include, Headquarters, United States Air Force, the United States Army, the Joint War Fighting Center, the Advanced Research Projects Agency and the Department of Energy.

Army Simulation, Training & Instrumentation Command (STRICOM)
Provides the Army with training devices, simulations, simulators and instrumentation for both training and testing. STRICOM's products and the products of its subordinate agencies have been training Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines for over 50 years.

Army TRADOC Analysis Center (TRAC)
TRAC's primary mission is to conduct operations research studies of Army organizations and systems. Members of its military and civilian work force are trained in at least one of the disciplines of operations research, physics, mathematics, engineering, statistics, computer science, psychology, economics or education. The center's personnel are responsible for high-resolution modeling of Army tactical organizations up to the brigade level and model the personnel, weapons, decision-making processes, threat and environments in which units operate. Models range in complexity from a few equations generated on a spreadsheet to large, highly complex, computerized, multi-station, interactive war games. The organization's main computing capability is a network of computers able to perform more than two billion instructions per second. The network is used introduce random variability to the simulation of tactical operations. Analysis of these simulations provide valuable information about the effectiveness of conceptual, developmental and fielded materiel systems; various mixes of forces and equipment; and training programs and devices. Although most of TRAC's studies are conducted for the Army, the organization also participates in joint multi-service and combined multi-national projects.

Ballistic Missile Defense Simulation Support Center
The BMD SSC serves as a web-based source of modeling and simulation expertise, services, and information. The BMD SSC places BMD information (M&S, Exercises, Flight and Ground Test, Wargames) on the BMD analyst's desktop.

Battle Command, Simulation, and Experimentation Directorate
U.S. Army
Provides the Army enterprise-level vision, strategy, oversight, integration (horizontal & vertical), training, management, master plan and investment strategy for modeling and simulation activities across all M&S domains and environments.

Center for Nonlinear Studies, Los Alamos National Laboratory
The mission of the Los Alamos Center for Nonlinear Studies (CNLS) is fourfold:to identify and study fundamental nonlinear phenomena and promote their use in applied research, to stimulate interdisciplinary research and information exchanges inside and outside the laboratory, to provide a focal point for collaboration with academic and other scientific centers of excellence, and to disseminate recent developments and introduce young researchers to the subject.

Defense Modeling and Simulation Office (DMSO)
Mission: provide a full-time focal point for information concerning DoD modeling and simulation (M&S) activities. Currently the DMSO promulgates M&S policy, initiatives, and guidance to promote cooperation among DoD components to maximize efficiency and effectiveness.
    Document Library
    Glossary of Modeling & Simulation Terms
    DoD M&S Links
    Modeling and Simulation Information Analysis Center (MSIAC)
    Additional Modeling & Simulation Links

DoD Human Factors Engineering Technical Advisory Group
The HFE TAG is composed of technical representatives from the three services, NASA, and the FAA with research and development responsibility in the areas noted. Representatives from activities with allied interests and technical experts in special topical areas are also invited to attend specific meetings. Also participating in the HFE TAG are official representatives of technical societies or industrial associations with a stated interest in HFE.

Human Factors Research & Technology (NASA Ames Research Center)
The Human Factors Research and Technology Division supports human-centered design in complex aerospace information systems using experiments and models of human capabilities and human-machine interaction to enhance system safety, reliability and performance.
    Publications

DoD Information Analysis Centers
Many (but not all) IAC publications can be found in the DTIC STINET database.

Human Systems Integration Information Analysis Center
(HSIAC)
Provides HSI information and analysis services in support of research, design, development, test, and evaluation of human-operated systems in the following core competencies: Human Factors Engineering, Manpower, Personnel, Training, Health, System Safety, Medical Factors, Survivability, and Habitability.

Modeling, Virtual Environments & Simulation (MOVES) Institute,
Naval Postgraduate School
The institute operates both independently and in collaboration with the various Navy and Defense modeling and simulation centers to: carry out basic and applied research; analyze continuing modeling, virtual environments and simulation programs; create advanced prototypes; and develop real technologies and applications for the defense community. The research product directions for the institute include 3D visual simulation, networked virtual environments, computer-generated autonomy, human-computer interaction, technologies for immersion, defense and entertainment collaboration, and next generation modeling.

Navy Modeling & Simulation Office
NAVMSMO
Single point of public access to the Navy's Modeling & Simulation Information Service (NMSIS). The NMSIS collects, maintains, and distributes information about Navy Modeling and Simulation (M&S) for the use of Program Managers, engineers, M&S builders, and others throughout the M&S community.

Simulator Database Facility, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico
The SDBF is a repository of visual computer databases serving the US Department of Defense simulation and training community. This internet site contains information about the SDBF, catalog data, and samples available for public release.

Survey of Global Optimization Methods
This document surveys standard global optimization algorithms. The focus of this survey is on general techniques that are applicable to a wide variety of combinatorial and continuous optimization problems.

Warrior Preparation Center
The Warrior Preparation Center (WPC) is a fully functional wargaming center, providing operational-level training and exercises to US and NATO staffs worldwide. The WPC was initiated and is directed by the US Air Forces in Europe and the US Army in Europe. Located at Einsiedlerhof Air Station near Kaiserslautern, Germany, the WPC provides the facilities and equipment needed to conduct computer assisted exercises.
    Wargaming & Simulation Links

Electronic Books

Lecture Notes in Computer Science

Springer

Modeling and Simulation: Linking Entertainment and Defense

National Research Council, 1997
hard copy at QA76.9.C65 M622 1997 in the GENERAL collection

Modeling Human and Organizational Behavior: Application to Military Simulations

National Academy Press, 1998
hard copy at U22.3 .M58 1998 in the GENERAL collection)
Explores both entertainment and military applications of modeling and simulation technology and examines ways in which the two communities can better leverage each others capabilities to strengthen the overall technology base. It identifies common research challenges in immersive synthetic environments, networked simulation, and computer-generated characters, as well as the hardware and software tools needed to create simulated environments.

Nonlinear Science (and the Navy)

National Academy Press, 1998
Nonlinear phenomena are pervasive in problems relevant to the Navy. Potential novel nonlinear approaches to key Navy technologies in areas such as signal processing, turbulence, and drag and wake reduction are largely locked in predevelopment phases, lacking the mathematical and physical tools needed to understand and exploit nonlinear phenomena. The Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) staff can play a critical role in developing these tools or in importing them from the external scientific community. The Panel on Mathematics (Nonlinear Science and the Navy) perceives a significant impact of nonlinear science in several areas relevant to naval needs, including signal processing and sensors (e.g., sonar), robotics and adaptive control, turbulent and reacting flows, lasers and optics, and materials science.

Parametric Estimating Handbook

DoD
Sponsored by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) and Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA), the PEI "is a comprehensive guide for Industry and Government acquisition professionals who prepare, evaluate (i.e., perform technical evaluations and/or contract audits), or negotiate proposals based on parametric estimating techniques."

Probability and Algorithms

National Academy Press, 1992
Some of the hardest computational problems have been successfully attacked through the use of probabilistic algorithms, which have an element of randomness to them. Concepts from the field of probability are also increasingly useful in analyzing the performance of algorithms, broadening our understanding beyond that provided by the worst-case or average-case analyses. This book surveys both of these emerging areas on the interface of the mathematical sciences and computer science.

Statistical Software Engineering

National Academy of Sciences, c1996
This book identifies challenges and opportunities in the development and implementation of software that contain significant statistical content. While emphasizing the relevance of using rigorous statistical and probabilistic techniques in software engineering contexts, it presents opportunities for further research in the statistical sciences and their applications to software engineering.

Statistics, Testing, and Defense Acquisition: New Approaches and Methodological Improvements

National Academy Press, 1999
hard copy at UF503 .S7274 1999 in the GENERAL collection The Panel on Statistical Methods for Testing and Evaluating Defense Systems was charged with examining the statistical techniques currently used in the design and evaluation of operational tests in the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and making recommendations for improvement

StatSoft Electronic Statistics Textbook

StatSoft, Inc., c2001
Offers training in the understanding and application of statistics. The material was developed at the StatSoft R&D department based on many years of teaching undergraduate and graduate statistics courses and covers a wide variety of applications, including laboratory research (biomedical, agricultural, etc.), business statistics and forecasting, social science statistics and survey research, data mining, engineering and quality control applications, and many others.

Technology for the United States Navy and Marine Corps, 2000-2035: Becoming a 21st-Century Force

National Academy Press, 1997
hard copy at VA55 .T42 1997 in the GENERAL collection This 1997 study was inspired by the events of the past decade, which saw a vast transformation in the international strategic landscape facing the United States, and in the missions and perspectives of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps as implementing arms of U.S. national security strategy. The terms of reference of the study, developed by VADM Thomas B. Fargo, USN, and RADM Richard A. Riddell, USN, and signed by the Chief of Naval Operations on November 28, 1995, requested that the National Research Council undertake a thorough examination of the impact of advancing technology on the form and capability of the naval forces to the year 2035. Recognizing the anticipated austere budget environment, the terms of reference sought leverage to increase the cost-effectiveness of those forces in that environment, in many technical areas. They specifically asked for an identification of "present and emerging technologies that relate to the full breadth of Navy and Marine Corps mission capabilities," with specific attention to "(1) information warfare, electronic warfare, and the use of surveillance assets; (2) mine warfare and submarine warfare; (3) Navy and Marine Corps weaponry in the context of effectiveness on target; [and] (4) issues in caring for and maximizing effectiveness of Navy and Marine Corps human resources."

Reference Sources, FAQs, Web Sites, Bibliographies

AccessScience

McGraw-Hill's online encyclopedia of science and technology

Annotated Bibliography to the High Level Architecture (HLA)
This HLA bibliography is a product of the The McLeod Institute of Simulation Sciences (MISS) at California State University, Chico (CSUC). MISS is a participant in the University Outreach Program of the Defense Modeling and Simulation Office (DMSO). HLA, a general purpose architecture for simulation reuse and interoperability, was developed to support reuse and interoperability across the large numbers of different types of simulations developed and maintained by the DoD. It was approved by the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Technology (USD(A&T)) as the standard technical architecture for all DoD simulations in 1996.

Applied Management Science: Making Good Strategic Decisions
This site, maintained by Professor Hossein Arsham of the University of Baltimore, offers information on applied management science and an introduction to general operations research. It describes deterministic and probabilistic models, lists books on operations research and management science, and links to related Web sites.

Computational Probability and Statistics Resources
General resources, journal web Sites, societies & organizations, and a bibliography of books and journal articles, maintained by Professor Hossein Arsham of the University of Baltimore.

Cost Estimation & Analysis
This page provides some basic resources on cost estimating.

DoD Glossary of Modeling & Simulation Terms

PDF file whose purpose is to prescribe a uniform glossary of modeling and simulation (M&S) terminology, abbreviations, acronyms, and initialisms for use throughout DoD.

Data Archives from StatLib/Journal of the American Statistical Association
The Jasadata archive contains contributed datasets from articles published in the Journal of the American Statistical Association.

General Algebraic Modeling System (GAMS) Home Page
The General Algebraic Modeling System (GAMS) is specifically designed for modeling linear, nonlinear and mixed integer optimization problems. The system is especially useful with large, complex problems. GAMS is available for use on personal computers, workstations, mainframes and supercomputers. GAMS allows the user to concentrate on the modeling problem by making the setup simple. The system takes care of the time-consuming details of the specific machine and system software implementation. GAMS is especially useful for handling large, complex, one-of-a-kind problems which may require many revisions to establish an accurate model. The system models problems in a highly compact and natural way. The user can change the formulation quickly and easily, can change from one solver to another, and can even convert from linear to nonlinear with little trouble.

Global Optimization
A wealth of information can be accessed from this page maintained by Arnold Neumaier of the University of Vienna.

Harvard University Professor Al Roth's Game Theory & Experimental Economics Page
Links to a wide variety of sites, articles, etc. on game theory, experimental economics, and in market design (for which game theory, experimentation, and computation are natural and complementary tools).

ISI Glossary of Statistical Terms
The International Statistical Institute's multilingual site allows translation of statistical terms in 18 different languages.

A Lexicon of Decision Making
Definitions of the words most commonly used in a decision making context.

MathNet
The general aims of the Math-Net activities are to establish a high-quality electronic information and communication system for mathematics, to install portals to mathematical information, and to improve access to mathematical resources. Preprints, software, theses, lecture notes, data, multimedia, etc.

Operations Research/Management Science (Library Call Number ABSTRACTS HD20.5 .A26)
Modeling and systems analysis; mathematical programming; decisions, prediction & statistics; computing & information systems and related topics.

Optimization Technology Center (OTC) (Northwestern University and Argonne National Laboratory)
The Optimization Technology Center performs research in numerical optimization, Internet and distributed computing, problem solving environments , and in a wide range of areas of application.
Linear Programming FAQ
Nonlinear Programming FAQ

Probability, Statistics, Optimization, Computation, Systems Modeling & Simulation, and Time Series Analysis & Forecasting Links
Maintained by Professor Hossein Arsham, Endowed Chair of Statistics & Management Science at the of Baltimore.

The Probability Web
A collection of probability resources on the World Wide Web. The pages are designed to be especially helpful to researchers, teachers, and people in the probability community.

Statistical Calculators
Posted by the Dept. of Statistics at UCLA

Statistical Data Analysis Resources
Another page maintained by Professor Hossein Arsham of the University of Baltimore.

Statistical Theory & Method Abstracts (Library Call Number ABSTRACTS QA276 .A22)
Probability, statistics & important applications.

Statistical Tools on the World Wide Web
Article with hyperlinked resources, originally published in The American Statistician.

Wargaming: A Selected Bibliography
Compiled by the Army War College Library, April 1994.

Quality Control and Applied Statistics
Library Call Number ABSTRACTS TS156 .Q342
Includes abstracts on sampling, quality management, regression, risk & uncertainty, empirical models, and computing & information systems.

Operations Research/Management Science
Library Call Number ABSTRACTS HD20.5 .A26
Modeling and systems analysis; mathematical programming; decisions, prediction & statistics; computing & information systems and related topics.

Technical Reports, Theses, Preprints and Background Papers

Aviation Human Factors reports
National Transportation Library

Combinatorial Optimization & Graph Algorithms
Technical reports, theses, and other information posted by Technische Universitat Berlin.

Cornell University, School of Operations Research & Industrial Engineering, Technical Reports
Cornell University
Reports (1988-present; in some cases full-text) from a program "designed to provide a broad education in the techniques and modeling concepts needed to analyze and design complex systems and to provide an introduction to the technical and professional areas with which operations researchers and industrial engineers are concerned."

Delft University of Technology, Dept. of Mathematics. Publications & Research in Risk & Environmental Modelling
Delft, University of Technology
Staff reports on uncertainty analysis, risk analysis, and reliability.

LOGILAB Technical Reports
This site provides access to publications whose goal is focusing on the development and application of modern optimization techniques to solve real-life problems.

Optimization Online: An Eprint Site for the Optimization Community
Supported by the Mathematical Programming Society, Optimization Online is a repository of "eprints" about optimization as well as a site linking to online optimization journals and related topics.

Reports on Recently Completed Meetings of the Military Operations Research Society (MORS)
Military Operations Research Society

Statistical Computing--Preprints & Technical Reports
Useful information and data links from the International Association for Statistical Computing, a section of the International Statistical Institute. Hosted by the Department of Statistics - University of Perugia - Italy.

Statistics, Testing, and Defense Acquisition: Background Papers
National Academies Press
Includes the following papers: Strategic Information Generation and Transmission: The Evolution of Institutions in DoD Operational Testing On the Performance of Weibull Life Tests Based on Exponential Life Testing Designs Application of Statistical Science to Testing and Evaluating Software Intensive Systems

UCLA Dept. of Statistics Links
Preprints, theses, etc.

University of Michigan, Industrial & Operations Engineering Dept., Technical Reports
University of Michigan
Major areas of study and research in the Department of Industrial and Operations Engineering include: Operations Research Management Engineering Ergonomics Manufacturing Systems Occupational Safety Engineering Information Processing and Computer Systems.

Organizations

ACM Special Interest Group on Simulation
Association for Computing Machinery
The Mission of SIGSIM is to become the world-wide leader in providing professional services on modeling, simulation and systems analysis. SIGSIM actively seeks to meet this objective in a variety of ways. including: sponsorship of both the Winter Simulation Conference and the Workshop on Parallel and Distributed Simulation.

American Statistical Association
American Statistical Association
Spanning more than 160 years, the American Statistical Association (ASA) serves statisticians, quantitative scientists, and users of statistics across a wealth of academic areas and applications. The organization seeks to set a standard of statistical excellence wherever it is applied in the biological, socio-economic, and physical sciences. In education, the ASA is a forum for emerging research as well as current educational practices. ASA also coordinates the network for preparing statisticians at the pre- and postgraduate levels and insures that the interests of statistics educators are represented through liaison with government and industry.

Applied Computational Research Society
Nano Science and Technology Institute
Publications on Modeling, Simulation, and Nanotechnology

Association of European Operational Research Societies
EURO is the Association of European Operational Research Societies within IFORS, the International Federation of Operational Research Societies.

Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES)
The Society's mission is to promote the discovery and exchange of knowledge concerning the characteristics of human beings that are applicable to the design of systems and devices of all kinds.

Institute for Creative Technologies
In August 1999, the U.S. Army awarded a five-year contract to the University of Southern California to create the Institute for Creative Technologies (ICT). The ICT's mandate is to enlist the resources and talents of the entertainment and game development industries and to work collaboratively with computer scientists to advance the state of immersive training simulation. The goal of the ICT is the creation of the Experience Learning System (ELS), which provides the ability to learn through active, as opposed to passive, systems. In addition to specific military training tasks, the ELS will have applications for a broad range of educational initiatives.

Institute for Creative Technologies Publications
In August 1999, the U.S. Army awarded a five-year contract to the University of Southern California to create the Institute for Creative Technologies (ICT). The ICT's mandate is to enlist the resources and talents of the entertainment and game development industries and to work collaboratively with computer scientists to advance the state of immersive training simulation. The goal of the ICT is the creation of the Experience Learning System (ELS), which provides the ability to learn through active, as opposed to passive, systems. In addition to specific military training tasks, the ELS will have applications for a broad range of educational initiatives.

Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA)
IDA researchers are developing new analytic approaches for examining bold new force employment concepts that could leverage the "revolution in military affairs." These new concepts--characterized by more agile, responsive forces designed to exploit U.S. advantages in information, precision attack, and logistics support--require new techniques and new ways of thinking about force and technology interactions.

Institute for Reliability and Risk Analysis, George Washington University
The goal of the Institute is to initiate basic and applied research aimed toward increasing the fundamental knowledge base and methodology in reliability, quality control, and risk analysis. Emphasis is placed on the development and application of Bayesian methodology in addressing and solving practical problems. An important objective of the Institute is the dissemination of research findings and the education and training of future reliability analysts.

International Society on Multiple Criteria Decision Making (MCDM)
The purposes of the Society are to develop, test, evaluate and apply methodologies for solving MCDM problems, to foster interaction and research in the scientific field of MCDM, and to cooperate with other organizations in the study of management from a quantitative perspective.

Military Operations Research Society (MORS)
Military Operations Research Society
The Military Operations Research Society (MORS), incorporated as a professional society in 1966, has proudly served the operations research analytic community for over thirty years. Under the sponsorship of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Office of the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Staff - MORS strives to enhance the quality and effectiveness of military operations research.

Operational Research Society
The Operational Research Society, with members in 53 countries, provides training, conferences, publications and information to those working in Operational Research

SIAM Activity Group on Optimization (SIAG/OPT)
Affiliated with the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics, this group fosters the development of optimization theory, methods, and software--and in particular the development and analysis of efficient and effective methods, as well as their implementation in high-quality software. It provides and encourages an environment for interaction among applied mathematicians, computer scientists, engineers, scientists, and others active in optimization. In addition to endorsing various optimization meetings, SIAG/OPT sponsors minisymposia at the SIAM annual meeting and other SIAM conferences. A newsletter is sent in the spring and fall. SIAG/OPT holds a triennial conference.The Operational Research Society, with members in 53 countries, provides training, conferences, publications and information to those working in Operational Research.

Simulation & Gaming Associations

Simulation Interoperability Standards Organization (SISO)
SISO is dedicated to facilitating simulation interoperability across a wide spectrum, providing forums, educating the M&S community on implementation, and supporting standards development.

Society for Modeling and Simulation International
The Society for Modeling and Simulation International
The principal technical society devoted to the advancement of simulation and allied computer arts in all fields. The purpose of The Society is to facilitate communication among professionals in the field of simulation.
JDMS: The Journal of Defense Modeling and Simulation

Modeling & Simulation Magazine

Society for Modeling and Simulation International Simulation

Revised: Wednesday, April 29, 2009