Validation of molecular dynamics simulation

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Abstract
How the results obtained by computer simulation of molecular systems can be validated is considered. The overall quality of the simulated properties of a molecular system will depend on (i) the quality of the theory or model, (ii) the accuracy of the interatomic interaction function or force field, (iii) the degree of sampling, statistics and convergence reached in the simulation, (iv) the quality of the simulation software, and (v) how competently the simulation software is used. These five validation issues are discussed and illustrated with examples. Guidelines for different members of the scientific community are formulated which are aimed at enabling and improving the validation of simulation results in the literature.