The clear documentation of simulations is important for their communication, replication, and comprehension. The ODD protocol (Grimm et al. 2006, 2010; Polhill et al. 2008; Polhill 2010) is a
standard layout for describing individual- and agent-based simulation models (ABMs), especially for journal articles, conference papers, and other academic literature. It consists of seven elements which can be grouped into three blocks: Overview, Design concepts, Details. The purpose of ODD is to facilitate writing and reading of model descriptions, to better enable replication of model-based research, and to establish a set of design concepts that should be taken into account while developing an ABM. It does this in a relatively lightweight way, avoiding over-formal approaches whilst ensuring that the essentials of a simulation are explicitly described in a flexible yet appropriate manner.
2 Likes