You are here

Agent-Based Models
Share

Agent-Based Models

Second Edition


November 2019 | 128 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc

Agent-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.  An accompanying simulation using NetLogo and commentary on the program can be downloaded on the book's website: https://study.sagepub.com/researchmethods/qass/gilbert-agent-based-models-2e 

 
Series 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

The 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
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
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
Portland State University
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
George Mason University
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
University of Sasketchewan
Review

Sample Materials & Chapters

Chapter 1. The Idea of Agent-Based Modeling


For instructors

Please select a format:

Select a Purchasing Option

SAGE Research Methods is a research methods tool created to help researchers, faculty and students with their research projects. SAGE Research Methods links over 175,000 pages of SAGE’s renowned book, journal and reference content with truly advanced search and discovery tools. Researchers can explore methods concepts to help them design research projects, understand particular methods or identify a new method, conduct their research, and write up their findings. Since SAGE Research Methods focuses on methodology rather than disciplines, it can be used across the social sciences, health sciences, and more.

With SAGE Research Methods, researchers can explore their chosen method across the depth and breadth of content, expanding or refining their search as needed; read online, print, or email full-text content; utilize suggested related methods and links to related authors from SAGE Research Methods' robust library and unique features; and even share their own collections of content through Methods Lists. SAGE Research Methods contains content from over 720 books, dictionaries, encyclopedias, and handbooks, the entire “Little Green Book,” and "Little Blue Book” series, two Major Works collating a selection of journal articles, and specially commissioned videos.