title: AGENT-BASED MODELS IN EMPIRICAL SOCIAL RESEARCH.
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.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Sociology & Complex Systems, University of Michigan.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bruch
authors.affiliation: Departments of Sociology & Complex Systems, University of Michigan.
authors.forename: Jon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Atwell