The dissertation project focuses on the philosophical analysis of computer simulations as a scientific method. The relation between computer simulations, experiments, and theory as well as the integration of computer simulation results into experiments will be investigated. The ATLAS experiment, which has been carried out at the LHC (Large Hadron Collider) since 2008, serves as an application example.

The project investigates three important aspects of computer simulations: their verification, validation, and robustness, which are examined both abstractly and in relation to the ATLAS experiment.

The topics are linked by questions regarding the epistemic risk and a possible impact on the discovery potential that can arise from including computer simulations in the experimental setup.