Title: Validation in the agent-based modelling paradigm: problems and a solution

Authors: B.L. Heath; F.W. Ciarallo; R.R. Hill

Addresses: Operations Research and Analytics, Cardinal Health, 7000 Cardinal Place, Dublin, OH 43017, USA ' Department of Biomedical, Industrial and Human Factors Engineering, Wright State University, 3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy, Wright State University, Dayton, OH 45435, USA ' Department of Operational Sciences, Air Force Institute of Technology, 2950 Hobson Way, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433, USA

Abstract: This paper identifies problems in Agent-Based Modelling (ABM) validation and proposes a new modelling framework and diagramming technique to help solve those problems. The new framework relates the level of understanding of a real system with the appropriate model validation emphasis. The new diagramming technique, called the Conceptual Model for Simulation (CM4S) Diagram, is designed specifically for developing and documenting the conceptual model of a simulation while capturing appropriate validation criteria. An ABM simulation with real military implications is replicated in a proof of concept study. This paper advances ABM by identifying and helping to solve ABM validation challenges.

Keywords: ABM; agent-based modelling; model validation; conceptual modelling; simulation diagrams; agent-based systems; multi-agent system; MAS; military wargaming.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSPM.2012.049817

International Journal of Simulation and Process Modelling, 2012 Vol.7 No.4, pp.229 - 239

Received: 22 Sep 2010
Accepted: 19 Jul 2011
Published online: 15 Nov 2014 *

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