Abstract
This chapter discusses the process of designing and building an agent-based model, and suggests a set of steps to follow when using agent-based modelling as a research method. It starts with defining agent-based modelling and discusses its main concepts, and then it discusses how to design agents using different architectures. The chapter also suggests a standardized process consisting of a sequence of steps to develop agent-based models for social science research, and provides examples to illustrate this process.
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Notes
- 1.
There are minor differences between the code of the original model in NetLogo’s library and the code presented here.
- 2.
Global variables are defined (or declared) outside any procedure, and they can be accessed or refer red to from any place in the program. In contrast, local variables are defined inside a procedure, and can be accessed only within this procedure. The variables similar-neighbors and total-neighbors (lines 75–76) are local variables.
Recommended Reading
Edmonds, B., & Scott, M. (2005). From KISS to KIDS – An ‘anti-simplistic’ modelling approach. In P. Davidson, B. Logan, & K. Takadema (Eds.), Multi-agent and multi-agent-based simulation. MABS, 2004. New York/Berlin: Springer.
Epstein, J. M. (2006a). Generative social science. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
Epstein, J. M. (2008). Why model? Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation, 11(4), 12. Available at: http://jasss.soc.surrey.ac.uk/11/4/12.html
Gilbert, N., & Troitzsch, K. G. (2005). Simulation for the social scientist. Milton Keynes: Open University Press.
Gilbert, N. (2008a). Agent-based models. London: Sage.
Moss, S. (2008). Alternative approaches to the empirical validation of agent-based models. Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation, 11(1), 5. Available at: http://jasss.soc.surrey.ac.uk/11/1/5.html
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Abdou, M., Hamill, L., Gilbert, N. (2012). Designing and Building an Agent-Based Model. In: Heppenstall, A., Crooks, A., See, L., Batty, M. (eds) Agent-Based Models of Geographical Systems. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-8927-4_8
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