Agent-Based and Individual-Based Modeling: A Practical Introduction

Book Details

• Publisher: Princeton University Press

• Author: Steven F. Railsback

• Language: English

• ISBN: 9780691136745

• Pages: 352

• Cover: Paperback

• Format: Illustrated

• Dimensions: 10.0 x 8.0 x 1.1 inches

About The Book

Agent-Based and Individual-Based Modeling by Steven F. Railsback, published by Princeton University Press on November 6, 2011, is a comprehensive and hands-on textbook that introduces students and researchers to the innovative technique of agent-based modeling. This 352-page paperback edition provides the essential skills to design, implement, and analyze agent-based models, making it a critical resource for understanding the dynamics of biological, social, and other complex systems.

The book starts with the fundamentals of modeling and offers an introduction to NetLogo, a powerful and easy-to-use software platform for agent-based modeling. Through nine well-structured chapters, Railsback introduces key modeling concepts and shows readers how to implement them using NetLogo. The focus is on practical skills, with numerous examples, exercises, and small scientific models designed to deepen understanding.

Special attention is given to important aspects such as software testing, theory development, robustness analysis, and optimization of model structure. The book also emphasizes the process of parameterization and analyzing models, offering strategies for finding the right level of model complexity and developing theory for agent behavior.

Ideal for students and researchers in the biological and social sciences, this book provides a hands-on, practical introduction to agent-based modeling, from conceptual design to computer implementation and analysis. Leading universities around the world, including Cornell University, Carnegie Mellon, and the University of Michigan, have adopted this book for its accessibility and depth.