An Introduction to Agent-based Modeling. Modeling Natural, Social and Engineered Complex Systems with NetLogo

front-cover
front-page
Copyright Page
Contents
Preface
	Who We Wrote This For
	NetLogo and the Textbook
	Learning Objectives
	Features
	Organization
		Chapters 0 and 1 and the Appendix: What are ABMS
		Chapters 2,3,4 and 5: How to build ABMS
		Chapters 6,7 and 8: How to analyze and build ABMs
	Acknowledgements
0 Why Agent-Based Modeling?
	A Thought Experiment
	Complex Systems and Emergence
	Understanding Complex Systems and Emergence
		Example 1: Integrative Understanding
		Example 2: Differential Understanding
	Agent-Based Modeling as Representational Infrastructure for Restructurations
		Example: Predator-Prey Interactions
		Example: Forest Fires
1 What Is Agent-Based Modeling?
	Ants
		Creating the Ant Foraging Model
		Results and Observations from the Ant Model
		What Good Is an Ant Model?
	What Is Agent-Based Modeling?
		Agent-Based Models vs. Other Modeling Forms
		Randomness vs. Determinism
		When Is ABM Most Beneficial?
		Trade-offs of ABM
		What Is Needed to Understand ABM?
	Conclusion
	Explorations
		Beginner NetLogo Explorations
		Ants and Other Model Explorations
		Concept Explorations
		NetLogo Explorations
2 Creating Simple Agent-Based Models
	Life
	Heroes and Cowards
	Simple Economy
	Summary
	Explorations
		Chapter Model Explorations
		NetLogo Explorations
3 Exploring and Extending Agent-Based Models
	The Fire Model
		Description of the Fire Model
		First Extension: Probabilistic Transitions
		Second Extension: Adding Wind
		Third Extension: Allow Long-Distance Transmission
		Summary of the Fire Model
		Advanced Modeling Applications
	The Diffusion-Limited Aggregation (DLA) Model
		Description of Diffusion-Limited Aggregation
		First Extension: Probabilistic Sticking
		Second Extension: Neighbor Influence
		Third Extension: Different Aggregates
		Summary of the DLA Model
		Advanced Modeling Applications
	The Segregation Model
		Description of the Segregation Model
		First Extension: Adding Multiple Ethnicities
		Second Extension: Allowing Diverse Thresholds
		Third Extension: Adding Diversity-Seeking Individuals
		Summary of the Segregation Model
		Advanced Urban Modeling Applications
	The El Farol Model
		Description of the El Farol Model
		First Extension: Color Agents That Are More Successful Predictors
		Second Extension: Average, Min, and Max Rewards
		Third Extension: Histogram Reward Values
		Summary of the El Farol Model
		Advanced Modeling Applications
	Conclusion
	Explorations
4 Creating Agent-Based Models
	Designing Your Model
		Choosing Your Questions
		A Concrete Example
	Choosing Your Agents
		Choosing Agent Properties
		Choosing Agent Behavior
		Choosing Parameters of the Model
		Summary of the Wolf Sheep Simple Model Design
	Examining a Model
		Multiple Runs
	Predator-Prey Models: Additional Context
		Advanced Modeling Applications
	Conclusion
	Explorations
5 The Components of Agent-Based Modeling
	Overview
	Agents
		Properties
		Behaviors (Actions)
		Collections of Agents
		The Granularity of an Agent
		Agent Cognition
		Other Kinds of Agents
	Environments
		Spatial Environments
		Network-Based Environments
		Special Environments
	Interactions
	Observer/User Interface
	Schedule
	Wrapping It All Up
	Summary
	Explorations
6 Analyzing Agent-Based Models
	Types of Measurements
	Modeling the Spread of Disease
		Statistical Analysis of ABM: Moving beyond Raw Data
		The Necessity of Multiple Runs within ABM
		Using Graphs to Examine Results in ABM
		Analyzing Networks within ABM
		Environmental Data and ABM
	Summarizing Analysis of ABMs
	Explorations
7 Verification, Validation, and Replication
	Correctness of a Model
	Verification
		Communication
		Describing Conceptual Models
		Verification Testing
		Beyond Verification
		Sensitivity Analysis and Robustness
		Verification Benefits and Issues
	Validation
		Macrovalidation vs. Microvalidation
		Face Validation vs. Empirical Validation
		Validation Benefits and Questions
	Replication
		Replication of Computational Models: Dimensions and Standards
		Benefits of Replication
		Recommendations for Model Replicators
		Recommendations for Model Authors
	Summary
	Explorations
8 Advanced Topics and Applications
	Advanced Topics in ABM
		Model Design Guidelines
		Rule Extraction
		Using ABM for Communication, Persuasion, and Education
		Human, Embedded, and Virtual Agents through Mediation
		Hybrid Computational Methods
		Some Advanced Computational Methods in NetLogo
		Extensions to ABM
		Integration of Advanced Data Sources and Output
		Speed
	Applications of ABM
		Revisiting the Trade-offs of ABM
	The Future of ABM
	Explorations
Appendix: The Computational Roots of Agent-Based Modeling
	The Vignettes
	Cellular Automata and Agent-Based Modeling
	Genetic Algorithms, John Holland, and Complex Adaptive Systems
	Seymour Papert, Logo, and the Turtle
	Object-Oriented Programming and the Actor Model
	Data Parallelism
	Computer Graphics, Particle Systems, and Boids
	Conclusion
References
Software and Models
Index