Forward Models
Forward models are predictive models that can help answer the question: what if? For instance, forward models can predict the geophysical response given some known or assumed information about a site, such as its geology, hydrogeology, and/or contaminant distribution.
Forward models can also be used to virtually experiment with field acquisition parameters to not only simulate the geophysical response but to also simulate what acquisition parameters will achieve the objectives on the investigation.
Forward models are specific for each geophysical method (or technique) or a specific objective.