Why Sociology Should Use Agent Based Modelling

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...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Sociological research online 2013-08, Vol.18 (3), p.1-11
Main Author: Chattoe-Brown, Edmund
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Data
Methodology (Data Collection)
Qualitative Methods
Quantitative Methods
Research Methodology
Schelling, Thomas C (1921-2016)
Sociology
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Summary: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. The first part argues that ABM integrates qualitative and quantitative data distinctively, provides novel tools for understanding social causes and offers a significantly different perspective on theory building. The second part shows how the emerging ABM methodology is compatible with existing sociological practice while undermining several criticisms of ABM perceived to limit its sociological relevance.
ISSN:1360-7804
1360-7804
DOI:10.5153/sro.3055