This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Moretti, S. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Computer Simulation in Sociology

What Contribution?

University of Urbino, Italy, sabrinam{at}soc.uniurb.it

Computer simulation is spreading in the field of scientific research. In sociology, too, there are important applications. Some different techniques of simulation have developed: system dynamics, multiagent systems, cellular automata, and genetic algorithms. This article analyzes how each type of technique has been applied in sociology and how it is strictly linked to theoretical propositions that characterize each sociological approach. The introduction of computer simulation poses a question: Which contribution does it bring to the process of sociological research? This article aims to answer that question by examining the functions that simulation can carry out in the studies of sociologists.

Key Words: computer simulation • model • multiagent systems • cellular automata • genetic algorithms • complex systems • emergent properties

Social Science Computer Review, Vol. 20, No. 1, 43-57 (2002)
DOI: 10.1177/089443930202000105


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?