What is BehaviorSearch?
BehaviorSearch is a software tool to help with automating the exploration of agent-based models (ABMs), by using genetic algorithms and other heuristic techniques to search the parameter-space.
BehaviorSearch interfaces with the popular NetLogo ABM development platform, to provide a low-threshold way to search for combinations of model parameter settings that will result in a specified target behavior.
Model exploration in four steps:
- Design a quantitative measure for the behavior you're interested in.
- Choose parameters to vary and what ranges are allowed.
- Choose a search algorithm and run it.
- Examine the results (what parameters most affect this behavior?)
Note: The design of BehaviorSearch was particularly inspired by John H. Miller's seminal work on Active Nonlinear Testing.