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  • © 2017

Agent-Based Modelling in Population Studies

Concepts, Methods, and Applications

  • Examines the use of agent-based modelling (ABM) in population studies, from concepts to applications, best practices to future developments
  • Provides a solid point of reference for those wanting to use ABM in population research
  • Features the work of leading experts who share their unique insights into their experience with ABM

Part of the book series: The Springer Series on Demographic Methods and Population Analysis (PSDE, volume 41)

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Table of contents (17 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xi
  2. Perspectives on Agent-Based Modelling in Population Studies

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1
    2. Model-Based Demography: Towards a Research Agenda

      • Daniel Courgeau, Jakub Bijak, Robert Franck, Eric Silverman
      Pages 29-51
  3. Designing, Analysing, and Reporting Agent-Based Models

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 73-73
    2. Agent-Based Computational Demography and Microsimulation Using JAS-mine

      • Matteo Richiardi, Ross E. Richardson
      Pages 75-112
    3. Design and Analysis of Demographic Simulations

      • Jason Hilton, Jakub Bijak
      Pages 211-235
    4. How to Describe Agent-Based Models in Population Studies?

      • Jürgen Groeneveld, Anna Klabunde, Michelle L. O’Brien, André Grow
      Pages 237-254
  4. Modelling Decision Processes

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 255-255
  5. Family Formation and Fertility

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 341-341
    2. An Agent-Based Model of Sex Ratio at Birth Distortions

      • Ridhi Kashyap, Francisco Villavicencio
      Pages 343-367
    3. Exploring the Role of Communication in Shaping Fertility Transition Patterns in Space and Time

      • Sebastian Klüsener, Francesco Scalone, Martin Dribe
      Pages 369-403
    4. Feedback Mechanisms in the Postponement of Fertility in Spain

      • Daniel Ciganda, Francisco Villavicencio
      Pages 405-435
  6. Health, Mortality, and Support in Old Age

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 437-437

About this book

This book examines the use of agent-based modelling (ABM) in population studies, from concepts to applications, best practices to future developments. It features papers written by leading experts in the field that will help readers to better understand the usefulness of ABM for population projections, how ABM can be injected with empirical data to achieve a better match between model and reality, how geographic information can be fruitfully used in ABM, and how ABM results can be reported effectively and correctly.

Coverage ranges from detailing the relation between ABM and existing paradigms in population studies to infusing agent-based models with empirical data. The papers show the benefits that ABM offers the field, including enhanced theory formation by better linking the micro level with the macro level, the ability to represent populations more adequately as complex systems, and the possibility to study rare events and the implications of alternative mechanisms in artificial laboratories.

In addition, readers will discover guidelines and best practices with detailed examples of how to apply agent-based models in different areas of population research, including human mating behaviour, migration, and socio-structural determinants of health behaviours.

Earlier versions of the papers in this book have been presented at the workshop “Recent Developments and Future Directions in Agent-Based Modelling in Population Studies,” which took place at the University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Belgium, in September 2014. The book will contribute to the development of best practices in the field and will provide a solid point of reference for scholars who want to start using agent-based modelling in their own research.

Reviews

“The editors did a good job in compiling and structuring this impressive collection. The volume exhibits a good balance between papers that tackle general aspects of agent-based modelling and very specific papers that exemplify the power of ABMs. I am sure this book will become an important milestone along the road of advancement of ABMs in population studies.” (Thomas Fent, European Journal of Population, Vol. 33, 2017)

Editors and Affiliations

  • Centre for Sociological Research, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

    André Grow, Jan Van Bavel

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 139.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 179.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 179.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access