Agent-based and individual-based modeling
Subtitle: a practical introduction
By: Steven F. Railsback and Volker Grimm
Contributors: Grimm, Volker, 1958-
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Published: 2012
Place of publication: Princeton
Language: eng
Number of pages: 329
ISBN-13: 9780691136738; 9780691136745
Subjects: SCIENCE / Life Sciences / Biology / General; SCIENCE / Life Sciences / Biological Diversity; Mathematical models; Textbooks; Science; Multiagent systems
Description: "Agent-based modeling is a new technique for understanding how the dynamics of biological, social, and other complex systems arise from the characteristics and behaviors of the agents making up these systems. This innovative textbook gives students and scientists the skills to design, implement, and analyze agent-based models. It starts with the fundamentals of modeling and provides an introduction to NetLogo, an easy-to-use, free, and powerful software platform. Nine chapters then each introduce an important modeling concept and show how to implement it using NetLogo. The book goes on to present strategies for finding the right level of model complexity and developing theory for agent behavior, and for analyzing and learning from models. Agent-Based and Individual-Based Modeling features concise and accessible text, numerous examples, and exercises using small but scientific models. The emphasis throughout is on analysis--such as software testing, theory development, robustness analysis, and understanding full models--and on design issues like optimizing model structure and finding good parameter values.  The first hands-on introduction to agent-based modeling, from conceptual design to computer implementation to parameterization and analysis   Filled with examples and exercises, with updates and supplementary materials at www.railsback-grimm-abm-book.com   Designed for students and researchers across the biological and social sciences   Written by leading practitioners  "--
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 317-321) and index.