Automated Multi-agent Simulation Generation and Validation

Multi-agent based simulation (MABS) is increasingly used for social science studies. However, few methodologies and tools exist. A strong issue is the choice of the number of simulation runs and the validation of the results by statistical methods. In this article, we propose a model of tool which automatically generates and runs new simulations until the results are statistically valid using a chi-square test. The choice of the test configuration allows both a general overview of the variable links and a more specific independence analysis. We present a generic tool for any RePast-based simulation and apply it on an Academic Labor Market economic simulation.

[1]  Robert Axelrod.  Advancing the art of simulation in the social sciences , 1997 .

[2]  Philippe Mathieu,et al.  Interaction-Oriented Agent Simulations: From Theory to Implementation , 2008, ECAI.

[3]  Philippe Mathieu,et al.  A Reverse Engineering Form for Multi Agent Systems , 2008, ESAW.

[4]  W. G. Cochran.  Some Methods for Strengthening the Common χ 2 Tests , 1954 .

[5]  Thomas H. Wonnacott,et al.  Introductory Statistics , 2007, Technometrics.

[6]  Michèle Sebag,et al.  Pride and Prejudice on a Centralized Academic Labor Market , 2009 .

[7]  L. Tesfatsion.  Agent-based computational economics : A constructive approach to economic theory , 2006 .

[8]  Magda Fontana.  Agent-Based Modelling and Simulation in the Social and Human Sciences by Denis Phan and Frédéric Amblard (Eds.) , 2008, J. Artif. Soc. Soc. Simul..

[9]  Scott Moss,et al.  Alternative Approaches to the Empirical Validation of Agent-Based Models , 2007, J. Artif. Soc. Soc. Simul..

[10]  Michèle Sebag,et al.  Modelling a Centralized Academic Labour Market: Efficiency and Fairness , 2008 .

[11]  Raymond R. Hill,et al.  A Survey of Agent-Based Modeling Practices (January 1998 to July 2008) , 2009, J. Artif. Soc. Soc. Simul..

[12]  D. Phan,et al.  From Agent-based Computational Economics Towards Cognitive Economics , 2004 .

[13]  Michel Balinski,et al.  Student admissions and faculty recruitment , 2004, Theor. Comput. Sci..

[14]  Paul Windrum,et al.  Empirical Validation of Agent-Based Models: Alternatives and Prospects , 2007, J. Artif. Soc. Soc. Simul..

[15]  Amanda Clare,et al.  An ontology for a Robot Scientist , 2006, ISMB.

[16]  Nicolas Carayol,et al.  Behavioral Foundations and Equilibrium Notions for Social Network Formation Processes , 2004, Adv. Complex Syst..

[17]  Michael J. North,et al.  Experiences creating three implementations of the repast agent modeling toolkit , 2006, TOMC.

[18]  J. van Leeuwen,et al.  Engineering Societies in the Agents World II , 2001, Lecture Notes in Computer Science.

[19]  Steven L. Lytinen,et al.  Agent-based Simulation Platforms: Review and Development Recommendations , 2006, Simul..

[20]  P. Greenwood,et al.  A Guide to Chi-Squared Testing , 1996 .