Introduction to COMPLEX-IT: A User-Friendly Computational Modelling Software for Policy Data Exploration
Explore the capabilities of COMPLEX-IT, a web-based software tool designed to enhance researchers' access to computational social science tools. It offers a compact platform integrating case-based modelling, artificial intelligence, scenario analysis, and more. With an intuitive interface and quick results, COMPLEX-IT provides an interactive learning environment for analyzing complex data without extensive prior experience.
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CECAN Webinar June 2020 COMPLEX COMPLEX- -IT: User computational modelling software computational modelling software for exploring complex policy data for exploring complex policy data IT: User- -friendly friendly Prof. Brian Castellani, Durham University, UK. @complexcase Dr. Corey Schimpf, University at Buffalo, USA. Dr. Pete Barbrook-Johnson, University of Surrey, UK @bapeterj
Overview Overview (40min talk, 20mins Q&A) (40min talk, 20mins Q&A) What is COMPLEX-IT - Corey Covid Demo - Brian Extending with ABM - Pete
What is case What is case- -based? based? What is a case Cases are the units of analysis along with their variables (e.g., individuals, organizations) Incorporate internal and external factors Represent units holistically Byrne (2009) makes the connection that cases are themselves complex systems Case/complex system are subject to complex causality Cases group into unique trends or clusters COMPLEX-IT to help us get started here
What is COMPLEX What is COMPLEX- -IT? IT?
What is COMPLEX What is COMPLEX- -IT? IT? COMPLEX-IT is a web-based software tool that can be accessed through a browser or downloaded and run locally. It is designed to increase the access of researchers to the tools of computational social science (i.e., case-based modelling, artificial intelligence, scenario analysis, predictive analytics). It does this through a compact platform that integrates essential tools, an intuitive interface, and quick results as well as providing introductions to concepts, methods, and support materials to dig deeper for those who want it.
What is COMPLEX What is COMPLEX- -IT? IT? The result is a seamless and interactive learning environment for exploring your complex data; from data clustering/classification, to visualisation, and exploring simulated interventions and policy changes. The platform doesn t require extensive experience with these methods to start using COMPLEX-IT, all that is required is a data set you want to explore, and a curious mind!
Extending COMPLEX Extending COMPLEX- -IT IT agent agent- -based modelling based modelling Add ABM to the mix make it more accessible, connect with other methods Conceptual level article case-based and agent- based: bridging the divide. Int Journal of Soc Res Methods Software build into COMPLEX-IT What is ABM? Computer simulations, represent (heterogenous) agents, their interaction and behaviour, run scenarios. Powerful but costly, in accessible?
Extending COMPLEX Extending COMPLEX- -IT IT agent agent- -based modelling based modelling Currently working on adding quick and dirty dirty agent-based modelling User arrives to ABM tab We ask them a bunch of questions to setup their model How to create agents from their data/cases What intervention they might want simulate? How cases/agents interact in their system? How we can simplify their data? Good modelling practice In real-time we run a stylised ABM, setup using their data + answers, of a problem- type which fits their use-context Constrained set of examples - how well can we fit their use-context? Currently use a adoption/contagion type setup Provide outputs from the simulation and guide interpretation NOT ANSWERS OR PREDICTION - idea is to explore, stimulate new questions Give them a sense of how ABM might be useful to them Need to mitigate risk of providing meaningless outputs/results quick and
How you can get started with COMPLEX How you can get started with COMPLEX- -IT IT Go to https://www.art-sciencefactory.com/complexit.html You can dive in Tutorials and user guides (video and PDF) Further reading Reflections paper Journal on Policy and Complexity Systems Get in touch We are always keen on finding new guinea pigs / users! Give us your feedback What works, what doesn't What would you like to see added?
THANK YOU THANK YOU QUESTIONS QUESTIONS p.barbrook-johnson@surrey.ac.uk @bapeterj schimpf2@buffalo.edu