Designing Empirical Agent-Based Models: An Issue of Matching Data, Technical Requirements and Stakeholders Expectations

Abstract

Despite their diversity, the 11 examples of empirical agent-based model design described in this Volume enable not only a consolidation of the CAP framework described in Chap. 1, but also an exchange of experiences in designing empirical agent-based models. The detailed descriptions of the example modelling processes showcase the methodological diversity and the state of art practiced within the emerging community of empirical agent-based modelling. All these examples have their own limitations as a matter of empiricism that the framework aims to structure. In this final Chapter we discuss effectiveness and robustness of the Characterisation and Parameterisation (CAP) framework, which we revised during the process of editing this Volume. Then, we discuss how the distinction of particular cases performed, which is followed by a discussion on the diversity of methods. Finally, we use the cases presented here (admittedly small in number) to provide some initial insights for the selection of suitable methods.