Choosing the choice: Reflections on modelling decisions and behaviour in demographic agent-based models
Authored by Jonathan Gray, Jason Hilton, Jakub Bijak
Date Published: 2017
DOI: 10.1080/00324728.2017.1350280
Sponsors:
European Research Council (ERC)
United Kingdom Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
Platforms:
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Model Documentation:
Other Narrative
Mathematical description
Model Code URLs:
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Abstract
This paper investigates the issues associated with choosing appropriate
models of choice for demographic agent-based models. In particular, we
discuss the importance of context, time preference, and dealing with
uncertainty in decision modelling, as well as the heterogeneity between
agents in their decision-making strategies. The paper concludes by
advocating empirically driven, modular, and multi-model approaches to
designing simulations of human decision-making, given the lack of an
agreed strategy for dealing with any of these issues. Furthermore, we
suggest that an iterative process of data collection and simulation
experiments, with the latter informing future empirical data collection,
should form the basis of such an endeavour. The discussion is
illustrated with reference to selected demographic agent-based models,
with a focus on migration.
Tags
Social influence
Uncertainty
Economics
Risk
agent heterogeneity
Rural-urban migration
time
Prospect-theory
Land
Decision models
Demographic methods
Social
simulation
Return migration
Metamodels