Unpacking a Black Box: A Conceptual Anatomy Framework for Agent-Based Social Simulation Models

Özge Dilaver*, Nigel Gilbert

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)
38 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

This paper aims to improve the transparency of agent-based social simulation (ABSS) models and make it easier for various actors engaging with these models to make sense of them. It studies what ABSS is and juxtaposes its basic conceptual elements with insights from the agency/structure debate in social theory to propose a framework that captures the ‘conceptual anatomy’ of ABSS models in a simple and intuitive way. The five elements of the framework are: agency, social structure, environment, actions and interactions, and temporality. The paper also examines what is meant by the transparency or opacity of ABSS in the rapidly growing literature on the epistemology of computer simulations. It deconstructs the methodological criticism that ABSS models are black boxes by identifying multiple categories of transparency/opacity. It argues that neither opacity nor transparency is intrinsic to ABSS. Instead, they are dependent on research habitus-practices that are developed in a research field that are shaped by structure of the field and available resources. It discusses the ways in which thinking about the conceptual anatomy of ABSS can improve its transparency.

Original languageEnglish
Article number4
Number of pages21
JournalJASSS
Volume26
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 31 Jan 2023

Keywords

  • Epistemology of Computer Simulation
  • Model Description
  • Model Structure
  • Research Habitus
  • Sensemaking
  • Transparency

Cite this