Nonlinearity in Social Service Evaluation: A Primer on Agent-based Modeling.

Measurement of nonlinearity in social service research and evaluation relies primarily on spatial analysis and, to a lesser extent, social network analysis. Recent advances in geographic methods and computing power, however, allow for the greater use of simulation methods. These advances now enable...

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Publicado en:Social Work Research Vol. 35; no. 1; pp. 20 - 25
Autores principales: Israel, Nathaniel, Wolf-Branigin, Michael
Formato: Artículo
Publicado: National Association of Social Workers March 2011
Materias:
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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        atl: Nonlinearity in Social Service Evaluation: A Primer on Agent-based Modeling.
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        au:
          Israel, Nathaniel
          Wolf-Branigin, Michael
      su:
        Research evaluation
        Multiagent systems
        Social services -- Research
      sug:
        subj:
          Research evaluation
          Multiagent systems
          Social services -- Research
      keyword:
        Agent-based modeling
        Research -- Methodology -- Computer programs
      ab: Measurement of nonlinearity in social service research and evaluation relies primarily on spatial analysis and, to a lesser extent, social network analysis. Recent advances in geographic methods and computing power, however, allow for the greater use of simulation methods. These advances now enable evaluators and researchers to simulate complex adaptive systems (CASs) by applying agent-based modeling (ABM). CASs reflect the interactions of competitive and cooperative tendencies found in agents. ABM simulations create and test generated observable patterns using the fewest number of plausible decision rules and agents. This primer presents essential concepts for understanding ABM as social service applications of complexity theory shift from a metaphorical perspective to a formalized evaluation method. Further developments in ABM methods need to focus on concepts emanating from the study of complexity science, including the concepts of the wisdom of groups, strengths found in diverse perspectives, robustness, interconnectedness, sustainability, and conflict and cooperation. Appropriate software programs for developing and testing agent-based models are provided. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT].
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype: Article
      src: R
    language: English
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