This paper is focused on methodological problems implicit in agent-based modelling of the complex social systems, and in the related multi-agent computer simulations that are widely used to generate necessary quantitative data. After describing the consequences of (non)linear relations and complexity for social science research, I proceed to cope with abductive reasoning as an alternative way of proposing new hypotheses. Finally, I try to turn this into a general framework for any research design based on agent-based modelling and multi-agent simulations within social sciences.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.