%0 Journal Article %1 MULLER2014156 %A Müller, Birgit %A Balbi, Stefano %A Buchmann, Carsten M. %A de Sousa, Luís %A Dressler, Gunnar %A Groeneveld, Jürgen %A Klassert, Christian J. %A Le, Quang Bao %A Millington, James D.A. %A Nolzen, Henning %A Parker, Dawn C. %A Polhill, J. Gary %A Schlüter, Maja %A Schulze, Jule %A Schwarz, Nina %A Sun, Zhanli %A Taillandier, Patrick %A Weise, Hanna %D 2014 %J Environmental Modelling & Software %K AgentBasedModel Documentation myown %P 156 - 163 %R https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2014.01.029 %T Standardised and transparent model descriptions for agent-based models: Current status and prospects %U http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1364815214000395 %V 55 %X Agent-based models are helpful to investigate complex dynamics in coupled human–natural systems. However, model assessment, model comparison and replication are hampered to a large extent by a lack of transparency and comprehensibility in model descriptions. In this article we address the question of whether an ideal standard for describing models exists. We first suggest a classification for structuring types of model descriptions. Secondly, we differentiate purposes for which model descriptions are important. Thirdly, we review the types of model descriptions and evaluate each on their utility for the purposes. Our evaluation finds that the choice of the appropriate model description type is purpose-dependent and that no single description type alone can fulfil all requirements simultaneously. However, we suggest a minimum standard of model description for good modelling practice, namely the provision of source code and an accessible natural language description, and argue for the development of a common standard.

@article{MULLER2014156, abstract = {Agent-based models are helpful to investigate complex dynamics in coupled human–natural systems. However, model assessment, model comparison and replication are hampered to a large extent by a lack of transparency and comprehensibility in model descriptions. In this article we address the question of whether an ideal standard for describing models exists. We first suggest a classification for structuring types of model descriptions. Secondly, we differentiate purposes for which model descriptions are important. Thirdly, we review the types of model descriptions and evaluate each on their utility for the purposes. Our evaluation finds that the choice of the appropriate model description type is purpose-dependent and that no single description type alone can fulfil all requirements simultaneously. However, we suggest a minimum standard of model description for good modelling practice, namely the provision of source code and an accessible natural language description, and argue for the development of a common standard.}, added-at = {2019-11-18T11:26:55.000+0100}, author = {Müller, Birgit and Balbi, Stefano and Buchmann, Carsten M. and de Sousa, Luís and Dressler, Gunnar and Groeneveld, Jürgen and Klassert, Christian J. and Le, Quang Bao and Millington, James D.A. and Nolzen, Henning and Parker, Dawn C. and Polhill, J. Gary and Schlüter, Maja and Schulze, Jule and Schwarz, Nina and Sun, Zhanli and Taillandier, Patrick and Weise, Hanna}, biburl = {https://www.bibsonomy.org/bibtex/21276268325e087fd33897dac89aa5bdc/garypolhill}, description = {Standardised and transparent model descriptions for agent-based models: Current status and prospects - ScienceDirect}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2014.01.029}, interhash = {cc74a18f60f502cae416bad4566e89cc}, intrahash = {1276268325e087fd33897dac89aa5bdc}, issn = {1364-8152}, journal = {Environmental Modelling & Software}, keywords = {AgentBasedModel Documentation myown}, pages = {156 - 163}, timestamp = {2019-11-18T11:26:55.000+0100}, title = {Standardised and transparent model descriptions for agent-based models: Current status and prospects}, url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1364815214000395}, volume = 55, year = 2014 }