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The Current State of Agent-Based Modeling

Abstract

The field of agent-based modeling (ABM) has become a very popular field of study. This relatively new paradigm allows modelers to model individual behaviour of each entity in a system to create virtual "micro-worlds". The idea for such an organizational structure strongly relates to multi-agent systems. Multi-agent systems aim to solve complex problems by dividing it into smaller problems and assigning them to agents.
The purpose of this study is twofold: (1) We want to analyze the relation between MAS and ABM by reviewing the current literature of these topics. (2) We want to identify whether ABM tools implement the key features of agents and ABM, as well as determine whether repeatability can be achieved across platforms. We will do this by implementing an example model in a selection of tools and analyze the tools' features and output traces. The selected tools are DEVS, NetLogo, Repast, and SARL.

Download Links

The report of the research study can be downloaded here.
The presentation of the research study can be downloaded here.
The set of all the papers that were reviewed can be downloaded here.
A ranking of the papers can be downloaded here.

Search Strategy

To perform an objective literature and increase the confidence of our research, we applied a systematic approach according to the technique of Bárbara Kitchenham [1].
In addition, we gathered a set of important researchers in the domain of Multi-Agent Systems and Agent-Based Modeling, as well as important journals and conferences.
Figure 1 shows a diagram with all important authors and Figure 2 shows a diagram with the important authors and journals.

Fig.1 - Diagram of the important authors in both ABM as MAS.
Fig.2 - Diagram of the important journals and conferences in both ABM as MAS.
We also constructed a concept map, based on the terms and concepts that are discussed in the papers. This map can be seen in figure 3.
Fig.3 - Concept map.


The set of all the papers that were reviewed can be downloaded here.
A ranking of the papers can be downloaded here.

References



[1] Kitchenham, B., Charters, S. Guidelines for performing systematic literature reviews in software engineering (version 2.3). Technical report, Keele University and University of Durham, 2007.
Maintained by Tim Leys.