Agent-Based and Individual-Based Modeling

The essential textbook on agent-based modelling—now fully updated and expanded. Agent-Based and Individual-Based Modeling has become the standard textbook on the subject for classroom use and self-instruction. Drawing on the latest version of NetLogo and fully updated with new examples, exercises, and an enhanced text for easier comprehension, this is the essential resource for anyone seeking to understand how the dynamics of biological, social, and other complex systems arise from the characteristics of the agents that make up these systems.

Steven Railsback and Volker Grimm lead students stepwise through the processes of designing, programming, documenting, and doing scientific research with agent-based models, focusing on the adaptive behaviours that make these models necessary. They cover the fundamentals of modelling and model analysis, introduce key modelling concepts, and demonstrate how to implement them using NetLogo. They also address pattern-oriented modelling, an invaluable strategy for modelling real-world problems and developing theory.

This accessible and authoritative book focuses on modelling as a tool for understanding real complex systems. It explains how to pose a specific question, use observations from actual systems to design models, write and test software, and more.

A hands-on introduction that guides students from conceptual design to computer implementation to analysis. Filled with new examples and exercises and compatible with the latest version of NetLogo. Ideal for students and researchers across the natural and social sciences. Written by two leading practitioners. Supported by extensive instructional materials at www.railsback-grimm-abm-book.com.