Mixed Methods Adjudication in Wargames - Example: The Sealion Wargame at Sandhurst in 1974
Publish date: 2021-12-21
Report number: FOI-R--5234--SE
Pages: 28
Written in: Swedish
Keywords:
- wargame
- wargaming
- adjudication method
- adjudication
- models
- mixed methods
- multi method
- quantitative method
- qualitative method
- operational analysis
- Sealion 1940
- military history
- Second World War
- sea invasion
- joint operation
Abstract
This report asks if mixed methods, a combination of quantitative and qualitative method, can improve adjudication in analytical wargaming. A selected case, a wargame from 1974 regarding a counterfactual historical study on the topic whether or not Operation Sealion (1940) would have succeeded, exemplifies how different quantitative and qualitative adjudication methods, concerning adjudication and adjudication models, can be combined. One advantage from applying mixed methods for future wargames is to alleviate potential criticism towards wargaming as a method. The use of a mixed methods approach should contribute to clear and explicit choices of methods. That is to say, a more precise and open process, during a wargame's preparation phase, regarding how and why different adjudication methods should be utilised. Such a wargame design process would be useful for wargames with the purpose to investigate or explore future systems and concepts. Research and evaluation on the application of mixed methods is limited. There is a need for further analysis and testing in order to offer an appraisal on how qualitative and quantitative adjudication methods should be sequenced and prioritised for different kinds of wargames.