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Chapter 7
Checking Simulations: Detecting and Avoiding
Errors and Artefacts

José M. Galán, Luis R. Izquierdo, Segismundo S. Izquierdo, José I. Santos,
Ricardo del Olmo, and Adolfo López-Paredes

Abstract The aim of this chapter is to simulations. The reader with a set of
concepts and a range of suggested activities that will enhance his or her ability
to understand agent-based simulations. To do this in a structured way, we review
the main concepts of the methodology (e.g. we provide precise definitions for the
terms “error” and “artefact”) and establish a general framework that summarises
the process of designing, implementing, and using agent-based models. Within this
framework we identify the various stages where different types of assumptions are
usually made and, consequently, where different types of errors and artefacts may
appear. We then propose several activities that can be conducted to detect each type
of error and artefact.

Why Read This Chapter?
Given the complex and exploratory nature of many agent-based models, checking
that the model performs in the manner intended by its designers is a very challenging
task. This chapter helps the reader to identify some of the possible types of error and
artefact that may appear in the different stages of the modelling process. It will also
suggest some activities that can be conducted to detect, and hence avoid, each type.

J.M. Galán ( ) • L.R. Izquierdo • J.I. Santos • R. del Olmo
Department of Civil Engineering, Universidad de Burgos, E-09001, Burgos, Spain
e-mail: jmgalan@ubu.es; luis@izquierdo.name; jisantos@ubu.es; rdelolmo@ubu.es
S.S. Izquierdo • A. López-Paredes
Departamento de Organización de Empresas y C.I.M., Universidad de Valladolid, E-47011,
Valladolid, Spain
e-mail: segis@eis.uva.es; adolfo@insisoc.org

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Understanding Complex Systems, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-66948-9_7