Dear All,
"The fact remains that we have models running out of our ears, and there
seems to be no surcease. This may be quite healthy; at least lots of
people are getting skilled in drawing boxes, arrows, and circular nodes.
But all of these models cannot be right, or even useful or believable,
and evaluation seems to be rather low on the priority list. It seems to
be easier to formulate a new model than to test an old one, and one
never gets pinned down that way." (Underwood, B. J., 1975, Individual
Differences as a Crucible in Theory Construction, American Psychologist,
30, p. 128)
To that end:
Using Agent Based Modelling to Integrate Data on Attitude Change
Edmund Chattoe-Brown
Sociological Research Online, 19 (1) 16
<http://www.socresonline.org.uk/19/1/16.html>
[This article has two goals. Firstly, it shows how a relatively novel
technique (Agent Based Modelling, hereafter ABM) can integrate different
data types that are often used only in separate strands of research
(interviews, experiments and surveys). It does this by comparing a
well-known ABM of attitude dynamics with an alternative model using data
from surveys and experiments. Secondly, the article explains ABM
methodology and why it is important to the distinctiveness of ABM as a
research method. In particular, the ramifications of differing
approaches to ABM calibration and validation are discussed using the two
different ABM as examples. The article concludes by showing how ABM
might provide a progressive research strategy for integrating different
data types and thus different disciplines in attitude research.]
Is Simulating Forgetting Its History?Two Case Studies
Edmund Chattoe-Brown
<https://www.academia.edu/2989323/Is_Simulating_Forgetting_Its_History_Two_Case_Studies>
[Because simulation has survived out of the social science mainstream
for so long it has, through marginality in the modes of knowledge
transmission, apparently forgetten important aspects of its history.
This paper presents two case studies illustrating this concern and
explores the implications of the fact that we have forgotten calibrated
and validated models meeting standards that much current work does not.
The potentially harmful consquences (both for good research and the
standing of the discipline) are discussed. The paper concludes with
proposals for taking the history of simulation more seriously.]
All the best,
Edmund
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Edmund Chattoe-Brown
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