In 1999, we published Simulation for the Social Scientist (Open
University Press, see http://www.soc.surrey.ac.uk/research/simsoc/sss/),
an introduction to the use of simulation in the social sciences. The
book still sells well and is often cited, but since the field is
advancing
so fast, we have in mind to write a second edition.
The second edition will retain the structure of the first edition,
including an introductory chapter, a chapter on simulation as method,
and then chapters on System dynamics, Microanalytical models, Queueing
models, Multilevel models, Cellular Automata, Multi-agent models, and
Neural nets and GAs/GPs, but we are open to changing the content of
these chapters to reflect the work that has been done since we wrote
the original versions in 1998.
Some might say that multi-agent models are now so dominant in the field
that reviewing the other types of models we included in the first
edition is redundant. Nevertheless, we believe that there is still
considerable value in knowing about these other types, although we
recognize that the multi-agent chapter will need to be expanded
considerably (and may need to be divided into two).
The purpose of this email is to ask you for your views about what you
think are the most important topics and ideas that are not in the first
edition and should be added to the second edition.
We would also value suggestions about significant recent simulations
that we could describe as examples (each of the chapters will include
two or three descriptions of simulation models). If these examples are
ones that readers can run for themselves (i.e. the code is available
for downloading), that would be an advantage.
We look forward to your comments and ideas, which will be appropriately
acknowledged in the book.
Nigel Gilbert and Klaus G. Troitzsch
_______________________________________________________________________
Professor Nigel Gilbert, Editor, Journal of Artificial Societies and
Social Simulation, <http://www.soc.surrey.ac.uk/JASSS/>.
Centre for Research on Simulation in the Social Sciences (CRESS),
Department of Sociology, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK.
Tel:+44 1483 689173 Fax:+44 1483 689551 [log in to unmask]
Simulation resources at <http://www.soc.surrey.ac.uk/research/simsoc/>
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