Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Verifying agent-based models with steady-state analysis

  • SI: Agent-Directed Simulation
  • Published:
Computational and Mathematical Organization Theory Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Agent-based modeling has been well received in the simulation community. Complex systems are simulated by many autonomous agents whose behavior is defined by a conceptual model. However, the model can be improperly implemented or misinterpreted resulting in an implementation that does not reflect the conceptual rules. It is imperative that the implementation’s function be tested against the model’s expected outcome. In this paper, we present certain steady-state techniques that can be used to verify the operation of agent-based simulations. These methods are introduced and then applied to an ecological model which simulates reproductive dynamics of mosquitoes.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Awad HP, Glynn PW (2006) On an initial transient deletion rule with rigorous theoretical support. In: Proceedings of the winter simulation, pp 186–191

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Axelrod R, Axtell R, Epstein J, Cohen M (1996) Aligning simulation models: a case study and results. Comput Math Organ Theory 1:123–141

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Balci O (2001) A methodology for certification of modeling and simulation applications. ACM Trans Model Comput Simul 11(4):352–377

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bordini R, Fisher M, Visser W (2006) Verifying multi-agent programs by model checking. Auton Agents Multi-Agent Syst 2:239–256

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chan WKV (2008) An analysis of emerging behaviors in large-scale queueing-based service systems using agent-based simulation. In: Proceedings of the 40th conference on winter simulation, pp 872–878

    Google Scholar 

  • Crawley J (2004) Reducing the burden of anemia in infants and young children in malaria-endemic countries of Africa: from evidence to action. Am J Trop Med Hyg 71(2 suppl):25

    Google Scholar 

  • Gentile J, Rund S (2011) A framework for modeling genetically-aware mosquito vectors for sterile insect technique. Int J Agent Technol Syst 3:49–65

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grimm V (2002) Visual debugging: a way of analyzing, understanding and communicating bottom-up simulation models in ecology. Nat Resour Model 15(1):23–38

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gu W, Novak RJ (2009a) Agent-based modelling of mosquito foraging behaviour for malaria control. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 103(11):1105–1112

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gu W, Novak R (2009b) Predicting the impact of insecticide-treated bed nets on malaria transmission: the devil is in the detail. Malar J 8(1):256

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hu A, San Y, Wang Z (2001) Verifying and validating a simulation model. In: Proceedings of the 33rd conference on winter simulation, pp 595–599

    Google Scholar 

  • Kefalas P, Holcombe Eleftherakis G, Gheorghe M (2003) Intelligent Agent Software Engineering, Chapter A. Formal Method for the Development of Agent-Based Systems, pages 68–98. Idea Group Publishing

  • Kendall G, Su Y (2003) The co-evolution of trading strategies in a multi-agent based simulated stock market through the integration of individual learning and social learning. In: Proceedings of IEEE 2003 congress on evolutionary computation (CEC’03), pp 2298–2305

    Google Scholar 

  • Kleijnen JPC (1995) Verification and validation of simulation models. Eur J Oper Res 82(1):145–162

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marsella SC, Pynadath DV, Read SJ (2004) Psychsim: agent-based modeling of social interactions and influence. In: Proceedings of the international conference on cognitive modeling, pp 243–248

    Google Scholar 

  • Munga S, Minakawa N, Zhou G, Barrack O-OJ, Githeko AK, Yan G (2006) Effects of larval competitors and predators on oviposition site selection of anopheles gambiae sensu stricto. J Med Entomol 43(2):221–224

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nicholson A (1933) Supplement: the balance of animal populations. The Journal of Animal Ecology, 131–178

  • Patt A, Siebenhüner B (2002) Agent based modeling and adaptation to climate change. Vierteljahrsh. Wirtschaftsforsch. 74(2):310–320

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rateb F, Pavard B, Bellamine-BenSaoud N, Merelo JJ (2005) Modeling malaria with multi-agent systems. Int J Intell Inf Technol 1(2):17–27

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ropella G, Railsback S, Jackson S (2002) Software engineering considerations for individual-based models. Natural Resource Modeling, 5–22

  • Styer LM, Carey JR, Wang JL, Scott TW (2007) Mosquitoes do senesce: departure from the paradigm of constant mortality. Am J Trop Med Hyg 76(1):111

    Google Scholar 

  • Tuncer O (2001) Impact of data on simulation: from early practices to federated and agent-directed simulation. In: Proceedings of the EUROSIM

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, USA

    James E. Gentile, Gregory J. Davis & Samuel S. C. Rund

Authors
  1. James E. Gentile
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Gregory J. Davis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Samuel S. C. Rund
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to James E. Gentile.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Gentile, J.E., Davis, G.J. & Rund, S.S.C. Verifying agent-based models with steady-state analysis. Comput Math Organ Theory 18, 404–418 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10588-012-9128-8

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10588-012-9128-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation