GlossaryGuide

Etym. scenario (n.) 1868, “sketch of the plot of a play,” from Italian scenario, from Late Latin scenarius “of stage scenes,” from Latin scena “scene.” Meaning “imagined situation” is first recorded 1960, in reference to hypothetical nuclear wars.

Definition

• A method of operation in which the simulator is programmed to be in one state and to respond to an input and transition to another state based on a script or algorithm.

• A scenario where a script will assign initial values (such as heart rate, blood pressure, emotional state, or concern) at the start of the scenario that will require specific actions by the participant or certain time frames, for the scenario to transition to the next state (Palaganas, Maxworthy, Epps, and Mancini, 2015).

Compare: PHYSIOLOGIC MODELING, “RUNNING ON THE FLY”