Standardised and transparent model descriptions for agent-based models: Current status and prospects

Birgit Müller; Stefano Balbi; Carsten Buchmann; Luís de Sousa; Gunnar Dressler; Jürgen Groeneveld; Christian Klassert; Quang Bao Le; James Millington; Henning Nolzen; Dawn Parker; Gary Polhill; Maja Schlüter; Jule Schulze; Nina Schwarz; Zhanli Sun; Patrick Taillandier; Hanna Weise

doi:10.1016/j.envsoft.2014.01.029

Standardised and transparent model descriptions for agent-based models: Current status and prospects

Birgit Müller, Stefano Balbi, Carsten Buchmann, Luís de Sousa, Gunnar Dressler, Jürgen Groeneveld, Christian Klassert, Quang Bao Le, James Millington, Henning Nolzen, Dawn Parker, Gary Polhill, Maja Schlüter, Jule Schulze, Nina Schwarz, Zhanli Sun, Patrick Taillandier, Hanna Weise

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Abstract

Agent-based models are helpful to investigate complex dynamics in coupled human–natural systems. However, model assessment, model comparison and replication are hampered to a large extent by a lack of transparency and comprehensibility in model descriptions. In this article we address the question of whether an ideal standard for describing models exists. We first suggest a classification for structuring types of model descriptions. Secondly, we differentiate purposes for which model descriptions are important. Thirdly, we review the types of model descriptions and evaluate each on their utility for the purposes. Our evaluation finds that the choice of the appropriate model description type is purpose-dependent and that no single description type alone can fulfil all requirements simultaneously. However, we suggest a minimum standard of model description for good modelling practice, namely the provision of source code and an accessible natural language description, and argue for the development of a common standard.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	156-163
Number of pages	8
Journal	ENVIRONMENTAL MODELLING AND SOFTWARE
Volume	55
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2014.01.029
Publication status	Published - May 2014

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Standardised and transparent model descriptions for agent-based models: Current status and prospectsSubmitted manuscript, 301 KB

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Müller, B., Balbi, S., Buchmann, C., de Sousa, L., Dressler, G., Groeneveld, J., Klassert, C., Bao Le, Q., Millington, J., Nolzen, H., Parker, D., Polhill, G., Schlüter, M., Schulze, J., Schwarz, N., Sun, Z., Taillandier, P., & Weise, H. (2014). Standardised and transparent model descriptions for agent-based models: Current status and prospects. ENVIRONMENTAL MODELLING AND SOFTWARE, 55, 156-163. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2014.01.029

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title = "Standardised and transparent model descriptions for agent-based models: Current status and prospects",

abstract = "Agent-based models are helpful to investigate complex dynamics in coupled human–natural systems. However, model assessment, model comparison and replication are hampered to a large extent by a lack of transparency and comprehensibility in model descriptions. In this article we address the question of whether an ideal standard for describing models exists. We first suggest a classification for structuring types of model descriptions. Secondly, we differentiate purposes for which model descriptions are important. Thirdly, we review the types of model descriptions and evaluate each on their utility for the purposes. Our evaluation finds that the choice of the appropriate model description type is purpose-dependent and that no single description type alone can fulfil all requirements simultaneously. However, we suggest a minimum standard of model description for good modelling practice, namely the provision of source code and an accessible natural language description, and argue for the development of a common standard.",

author = "Birgit M{\"u}ller and Stefano Balbi and Carsten Buchmann and {de Sousa}, Lu{\'i}s and Gunnar Dressler and J{\"u}rgen Groeneveld and Christian Klassert and {Bao Le}, Quang and James Millington and Henning Nolzen and Dawn Parker and Gary Polhill and Maja Schl{\"u}ter and Jule Schulze and Nina Schwarz and Zhanli Sun and Patrick Taillandier and Hanna Weise",

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doi = "10.1016/j.envsoft.2014.01.029",

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Müller, B, Balbi, S, Buchmann, C, de Sousa, L, Dressler, G, Groeneveld, J, Klassert, C, Bao Le, Q, Millington, J, Nolzen, H, Parker, D, Polhill, G, Schlüter, M, Schulze, J, Schwarz, N, Sun, Z, Taillandier, P & Weise, H 2014, 'Standardised and transparent model descriptions for agent-based models: Current status and prospects', ENVIRONMENTAL MODELLING AND SOFTWARE, vol. 55, pp. 156-163. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2014.01.029

TY - JOUR

T1 - Standardised and transparent model descriptions for agent-based models

T2 - Current status and prospects

AU - Müller, Birgit

AU - Balbi, Stefano

AU - Buchmann, Carsten

AU - de Sousa, Luís

AU - Dressler, Gunnar

AU - Groeneveld, Jürgen

AU - Klassert, Christian

AU - Bao Le, Quang

AU - Millington, James

AU - Nolzen, Henning

AU - Parker, Dawn

AU - Polhill, Gary

AU - Schlüter, Maja

AU - Schulze, Jule

AU - Schwarz, Nina

AU - Sun, Zhanli

AU - Taillandier, Patrick

AU - Weise, Hanna

PY - 2014/5

Y1 - 2014/5

N2 - Agent-based models are helpful to investigate complex dynamics in coupled human–natural systems. However, model assessment, model comparison and replication are hampered to a large extent by a lack of transparency and comprehensibility in model descriptions. In this article we address the question of whether an ideal standard for describing models exists. We first suggest a classification for structuring types of model descriptions. Secondly, we differentiate purposes for which model descriptions are important. Thirdly, we review the types of model descriptions and evaluate each on their utility for the purposes. Our evaluation finds that the choice of the appropriate model description type is purpose-dependent and that no single description type alone can fulfil all requirements simultaneously. However, we suggest a minimum standard of model description for good modelling practice, namely the provision of source code and an accessible natural language description, and argue for the development of a common standard.

AB - Agent-based models are helpful to investigate complex dynamics in coupled human–natural systems. However, model assessment, model comparison and replication are hampered to a large extent by a lack of transparency and comprehensibility in model descriptions. In this article we address the question of whether an ideal standard for describing models exists. We first suggest a classification for structuring types of model descriptions. Secondly, we differentiate purposes for which model descriptions are important. Thirdly, we review the types of model descriptions and evaluate each on their utility for the purposes. Our evaluation finds that the choice of the appropriate model description type is purpose-dependent and that no single description type alone can fulfil all requirements simultaneously. However, we suggest a minimum standard of model description for good modelling practice, namely the provision of source code and an accessible natural language description, and argue for the development of a common standard.

U2 - 10.1016/j.envsoft.2014.01.029

DO - 10.1016/j.envsoft.2014.01.029

M3 - Article

SN - 1364-8152

VL - 55

SP - 156

EP - 163

JO - ENVIRONMENTAL MODELLING AND SOFTWARE

JF - ENVIRONMENTAL MODELLING AND SOFTWARE

ER -

Standardised and transparent model descriptions for agent-based models: Current status and prospects

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