.. _model-surrogate-global-dace_method_pointer:

"""""""""""""""""""
dace_method_pointer
"""""""""""""""""""


Specify a method to gather training data



**Topics**


block_pointer


.. toctree::
   :hidden:
   :maxdepth: 1

   model-surrogate-global-dace_method_pointer-auto_refinement


**Specification**

- *Alias:* None

- *Arguments:* STRING

- *Default:* no design of experiments data


**Child Keywords:**

+-------------------------+--------------------+---------------------+-----------------------------------------------+
| Required/Optional       | Description of     | Dakota Keyword      | Dakota Keyword Description                    |
|                         | Group              |                     |                                               |
+=========================+====================+=====================+===============================================+
| Optional                                     | `auto_refinement`__ | Experimental auto-refinement of surrogate     |
|                                              |                     | model                                         |
+----------------------------------------------+---------------------+-----------------------------------------------+

.. __: model-surrogate-global-dace_method_pointer-auto_refinement.html



**Description**


The number of training points and the sources are specified on
:dakkw:`model-surrogate-global`, as well as the number of new training points
required.

New training points are gathered by running the "truth" model using
the method specified by ``dace_method_pointer``.
The DACE method will only be
invoked if it has new samples to perform, and if new samples are
required and no DACE iterator has been provided, an error will result.

The ``dace_method_pointer`` points to design of experiments method
block
used to generate truth model data.

Permissible methods include:
Monte Carlo (random) sampling, Latin
hypercube sampling, orthogonal array sampling, central composite
design sampling, and Box-Behnken sampling.

Note that the number of samples specified in the method block
may be overwritten, if the requested number of samples is less than
:dakkw:`model-surrogate-global-minimum_points`.