Topics

Spring 2012

Psychology 120

Introduction

There are four basic types of final projects for this course.  Each of these options are listed below.

1. Mate Choice

If you choose this option, then you will extend and develop a report on the Mate Choice Model we have been developing in class.  This option will be like a lab with a written component.  I will write up a more detailed description of this option after we finish the lab next week, so that I can see what would be appropriate for this option.  Here is the description.

2. Develop Your Own Model

If you choose this option, you will develop your own model. Talk to me first before beginning this type of project.

3. Write a Proposal for a Model

If you choose this option, you will write a proposal for a model that you would like to build to answer a question. The paper would have the following format:

1. Introduction. Introduce the problem you are interested in and how an agent-based model could address these problems. Propose hypotheses about what you expect you will find or what problems will be answered.

2. Model Description. Describe the model in detail (not the coding specifics). A flow chart figure is often helpful to do this.

3. Methods. Once you have built your proposed model, what simulations would you run. Specifically, what parameters would you systematically vary to test your hypotheses and/or answer the questions you proposed. What data would you use or collect to compare your results to?

4. Discussion. Discuss how different outcomes could produce different answers to the problems you posed. What would be the significance of your simulations to the field of study you are interested in?

5. References. These will primarily be used in the introduction and discussion.

4. Write a Review Paper on ABM

If you choose this topic, you will write a review of a particular area in which agent-based models have been used.  For this option, a review paper should have the following form:

1. Introduction. Introduce the problem you are going to review. Cite the different models used in the literature.

2. Model Descriptions. Briefly describe each of these models and the main results.  Sometimes several models can be combined if they are basically variations on a single theme.

3. Discussion. Discuss the results from these models.  What more work do you think needs to be done?

5. References. These will primarily be used in the introduction and discussion but also in the model descriptions.