In many cases it may be more straightforward (and informative) to test specific models using our data. An interesting approach for inferring population parameters and/or model testing is approximate Bayesian computations (ABC). There are several available tools such as msBayes, DIYABC, PopABC abctools R package, ABCTools.

Although ABC is a powerful and useful approach it has some caveats, e.g. choice of summary statistics, number and complexity of the models tested, amount of data and more. For realistic expectations and simple models ABC could really add some interesting insights to popgen studies.