A Semantic Grid Service for Experimentation with an Agent-Based Model of Land-Use Change

Authored by J Gary Polhill, Nicholas M. Gotts, Edoardo Pignotti, Pete Edwards, Alun Preece

Date Published: 2007-03

Sponsors: Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department United Kingdom Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)

Platforms: Java

Model Documentation: Other Narrative Ontologies

Model Code URLs: Model code not found

Abstract

Agent-based models, perhaps more than other models, feature large numbers of parameters and potentially generate vast quantities of results data. This paper shows through the FEARLUS-G project (an ESRC e-Social Science Initiative Pilot Demonstrator Project) how deploying an agent-based model on the Semantic Grid facilitates international collaboration on investigations using such a model, and contributes to establishing rigorous working practices with agent-based models as part of good science in social simulation. The experimental workflow is described explicitly using an ontology, and a Semantic Grid service with a web interface implements the workflow. Users are able to compare their parameter settings and results, and relate their work with the model to wider scientific debate.

Tags

Agent-Based Social Simulation Replication Experiments Ontologies Semantic Grid