A common protocol for agent-based social simulation (2006)
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| Venue: | JOURNAL OF ARTIFICIAL SOCIETIES AND SOCIAL SIMULATION |
| Citations: | 14 - 1 self |
BibTeX
@ARTICLE{Leombruni06acommon,
author = {Roberto Leombruni and Matteo Richiardi and Nicole J. Saam and Michele Sonnessa},
title = {A common protocol for agent-based social simulation},
journal = {JOURNAL OF ARTIFICIAL SOCIETIES AND SOCIAL SIMULATION},
year = {2006},
volume = {9}
}
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Abstract
Traditional (i.e. analytical) modelling practices in the social sciences rely on a very well established, although implicit, methodological protocol, both with respect to the way models are presented and to the kinds of analysis that are performed. Unfortunately, computer-simulated models often lack such a reference to an accepted methodological standard. This is one of the main reasons for the scepticism among mainstream social scientists that results in low acceptance of papers with agent-based methodology in the top journals. We identify some methodological pitfalls that, according to us, are common in papers employing agent-based simulations, and propose appropriate solutions. We discuss each issue with reference to a general characterization of dynamic micro models, which encompasses both analytical and simulation models. In the way, we also clarify some confusing terminology. We then propose a three-stage process that could lead to the establishment of methodological standards in social and economic simulations.







