A parametric identification procedure is proposed that combines the method of multiple scales and higher-order statistics to efficiently and accurately model nonlinear systems. A theoretical background for the method of multiple scales and higher-order statistics is given. Validation of the procedure is performed through applying it to numerical simulations of two nonlinear systems. The results show how the procedure can successfully characterize the system damping and nonlinearities and determine the corresponding parameters. The procedure is then applied to experimental measurements from two structural systems, a cantilevered beam and a three-beam frame. The results show that quadratic damping should be accounted for in both systems. Moreover, for the three-beam frame, the parametric excitation is much more important than the direct excitation. To show the flexibility of the procedure, numerical simulations of ship motion under parametric excitation are used to determine nonlinear parameters govening the relation between pitch, heave, and roll motions. The results show a high level of agreement between the numerical simulation and the mathematical model with the identified parameters. / Master of Science