Description
Book SynopsisAgent-based simulation has become increasingly popular as a modeling approach in the social sciences because it enables researchers to build models where individual entities and their interactions are directly represented. The Second Edition of Nigel Gilbert′s Agent-Based Models introduces this technique; considers a range of methodological and theoretical issues; shows how to design an agent-based model, with a simple example; offers some practical advice about developing, verifying and validating agent-based models; and finally discusses how to plan an agent-based modelling project, publish the results and apply agent-based modeling to formulate and evaluate social and economic policies.
Trade ReviewThe new edition of
Agent-Based Models provides the same strong conceptual overview as the first edition, with significant updates and elaborations to reflect ten years of growth in this important approach to modeling.
-- Sally Jackson * review *
Nigel Gilbert is one of the fathers of agent-based modeling and in this book provides a great introduction into the field.
-- Garry Sotnik * Review *
A great introduction for social scientists who want to know about agent-based modeling. It offers readers guidelines on how to build such models and what to consider when designing and testing them.
-- Andrew Crooks * Review *
If you are planning to motivate and introduce the field of agent-based modeling to social scientists who have little or no prior knowledge of the topic, then this is your book.
-- James Nolan * Review *
Table of ContentsSeries Editor′s Introduction Preface Acknowledgments About the Author Chapter 1: The Idea of Agent-Based Modeling 1.1 Agent-Based Modeling 1.2 Some Examples 1.3 The Features of Agent-Based Modeling 1.4 Other Related Modeling Approaches Chapter 2: Agents, Environments, and Timescales 2.1 Agents 2.2 Environments 2.3 Randomness 2.4 Time 2.5 Population Learning Chapter 3: Designing an Agent-Based Model 3.1 Design Steps 3.2 An Example of Developing an Agent-Based Model Chapter 4: Developing an Agent-Based Model 4.1 Modeling Toolkits, Libraries, Languages, Frameworks, and Environments 4.2 Using NetLogo to Build Models 4.3 Building the Collectivities Model Step by Step 4.4 Verification: Getting Rid of the Bugs 4.5 Validation 4.6 Techniques for Validation Chapter 5: Using Agent-Based Models 5.1 Planning an Agent-Based Modeling Project 5.2 Reporting Agent-Based Model Research 5.3 Agent-Based Models for Public Policy Resources Societies and Associations Journals Mailing List and Web Sites Glossary References Index
