Steve Watson

This paper gives an introduction to stochastic actor-based models for dynamics of directed networks, using only a minimum of mathematics. The focus is on understanding the basic principles of the model, understanding the results, and on sensible rules for model selection.

TUTORIAL ON AGENT-BASED MODELING AND SIMULATION PART 2: HOW TO MODEL WITH AGENTS (pdf) by Charles M. Macal, Michael J. North

This tutorial describes the foundations of ABMS, identifies ABMS toolkits and development methods illustrated through a supply chain example, and provides thoughts on the appropriate contexts for ABMS versus conventional modeling techniques.

AGENT-BASED MODELS (pdf) by Nigel Gilbert

This ?rst chapter begins with a brief overview of agent-based modeling before contrasting it with other, perhaps more familiar forms of modeling and describing several examples of current agent-based modeling research.

Modeling Social Mechanisms: Mechanism-Based Explanations and Agent-Based Modeling in the Social Sciences (pdf) by Cyril Hédoin

This article evaluates the relevance of ABM to representing (social) mechanisms. It emphasizes the difficulties surrounding the representation of a particular form of social mechanisms I call “institutional mechanisms”, where the behavior of the social system and of its components (the social agents) are determined by institutional objects such as norms or conventions.

Some Links to Simulation Resources on the Web. Materials supporting sociology 242G by Robert Hanneman of the Department of Sociology at the University of California, Riverside.
From Factors to Actors: Computational Sociology and Agent-Based Modeling (pdf) by Michael W. Mac, Robert Willer

Like flocks of birds, human group processes are highly complex, nonlinear, path dependent, and self-organizing. We may be able to understand these dynamics much better not by trying to model them at the global level but instead as emergent properties of local interaction among adaptive agents who influence one another in response to the influence they receive.

Why Sociology Should Use Agent Based Modelling by Edmund Chattoe-Brown

Although Agent Based Models (hereafter ABM) are now regularly reported in sociology journals, explaining the approach, describing models and reporting results leaves little opportunity to examine wider implications of ABM for sociological practice. This article uses an established ABM (the Schelling model) for this.

From micro to macro and back again: Agent-based models for sociology (pdf) by Federico Bianchi

In this paper the importance of agent-based simulation is advocated for mechanism-based sociology [1]. The main epistemological reasons are to be found in the analogies between mechanism-based sociological theory [1.1], the study of complexity and emergent properties [1.2] and the generative explanatory power of computer simulations [1.3].

Finally, an Amazon wish: Agent-Based Computational Sociology [Hardcover] by Flaminio Squazzoni

This book looks at a new research stream that makes use of advanced computer simulation modelling techniques to spotlight agent interaction that allows us to explain the emergence of social patterns. It presents a method to pursue analytical sociology investigations that look at relevant social mechanisms in various empirical situations, such as markets, urban cities, and organisations.