Replicating existing models is a way to both learn modeling (and NetLogo programming) and contribute to science by evaluating the reproducibility of previous work. Volker Grimm and many colleagues just published a paper on their experience attempting to replicate 18 published agent-based models and their key results. Their approach was to first re-write the model description in the standard ODD format for describing ABMs, and then program the model in NetLogo. Even though none of the replicators had previous experience with either ODD or NetLogo, 14 of the 18 models were successfully replicated, usually with only a few days effort. This effort illustrates the benefits of ODD as a standard for model formulation and description and of NetLogo as a standard platform for implementing ABMs. The study is in Ecological Modeling and available here.
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