Agent-Based Models in Empirical Social Research

Elizabeth Bruch and Jon Atwell

Sociological Methods & Research, 2015, vol. 44, issue 2, 186-221

Abstract: Agent-based modeling has become increasingly popular in recent years, but there is still no codified set of recommendations or practices for how to use these models within a program of empirical research. This article provides ideas and practical guidelines drawn from sociology, biology, computer science, epidemiology, and statistics. We first discuss the motivations for using agent-based models in both basic science and policy-oriented social research. Next, we provide an overview of methods and strategies for incorporating data on behavior and populations into agent-based models, and review techniques for validating and testing the sensitivity of agent-based models. We close with suggested directions for future research.

Keywords: agent-based modeling; discrete choice analysis; simulation methods; inequality; demography (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:somere:v:44:y:2015:i:2:p:186-221

DOI: 10.1177/0049124113506405

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