Resources

Agent-Based Modeling

Introductory Materials

• A resource page courtesy of Nicolas Malleson and the SIMSOC listserv.
• An online guide for new-comers to ABMs, maintained by Robert Axelrod and Leigh Tesfatsion – leaders in the field of agent-based computational economics.
• An article from Eric Bonabeau that provides a good entry point for students into ABMs.
• An article by Joshua Epstein that provides an interesting and simple application of ABM to modeling civil violence.
• Some other good papers that introduce the philosophy and practice of ABM:
  • Macy & Willer (2002), From factors to actors: Computational sociology and agent-based modelling, Annu. Rev. Sociol (28), 143-66
  • O’Sullivan & Haklay (2000), Agent-based models and individualism: is the world agent-based?, Env. & Plan. A (32), 1409-25
  • Castle & Crooks (2006), Principles and concepts of agent-based modelling for developing geographical simulations, CASA working paper series, 110

Key Articles

• A foundational review from leaders in ABMS: Parker et al. (2003) “Multi-Agent Systems for the Simulation of Land-Use and Land-Cover Change: A Review“.
• A seminal piece on Pattern-Oriented Modeling: Grimm et al. (2005) “Pattern-Oriented Modeling of Complex Agent Based Systems: Lessons from Ecology“.
• The Overview, Design concepts, and Details (ODD) Protocol: Grimm et al. (2006) “A standard protocol for describing individual-based and agent-based models“.
• Meta-study with ABMs: Parket et al. (2008) “Case studies, cross-site comparisons, and the challenge of generalization: comparing agent-based models of land-use change in frontier regions“.
• Hierarchical Complex Systems Modeling: Werner, BT and McNamara, DE (2007). Dynamics of coupled human-landscape systems. Geomorphology, 91: 393-407.

Textbooks

• “Agent-Based Models of Geographical Systems” by Alison J. Heppenstall, Andrew T. Crooks, Linda M. See, and Michael Batty
• “Agent-Based and Individual-Based Modeling: A Practical Introduction” by Steven F. Railsback and Volker Grimm
• “Handbook of Computational Economics”, edited by L. Tesfatsion and K.L. Judd
• “Spatial Simulation: Exploring Pattern and Process” by David O’Sullivan and George L. W. Perry

Online Resources

• Open ABM – Open-source models and regular ABM news.
• Agent-Based Computational Economics (ACE) – Tons of useful links.

Journals

• Computers, Environment, and Urban Systems
• Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation (JASSS)
• Ecological Modelling
• Environmental Modeling & Software