In this assignment, you will use NetLogo to create an agent-based model (ABM) of a complex observed phenomenon: the spread of an infection (such as COVID-19) through a population. Deliverables include a functional NetLogo model of the system, a description of the model using the ODD protocol (Overview, Design concepts, Details), and a brief report describing an investigation conducted using the model.
The objectives of this assignment are to gain experience in:
• using NetLogo to implement an ABM;
• using the ODD protocol to describe an ABM;
• using an ABM to answer a question of scientific or policy interest.
Background
COVID-19 emerged toward the end of 2019 and spread rapidly across the world. Throughout the ongoing pandemic, models have played an important role in developing insight into the dynamics of the outbreak, and informing the public health response.
For example, models have been used to explore:
• the role that asymptomatic individuals play in spreading COVID-19;
• the effectiveness of isolation, testing, quarantine and social distancing for controlling the spread of COVID-19;
• the likely impact of COVID-19 outbreaks on the health system, in terms of number of hospital and intensive-care unit beds required.
Your tasks
Your tasks are:
1. to extend the existing NetLogo model of SIR transmission (epiDEM basic) to capture relevantaspects of COVID-19 transmission;
2. to design and execute one or more experiments with your model in order to address a scientific or policy-relevant question;
3. to write a description of your model using the ODD protocol, and a brief report of your experiments.
Approach
• Start by familiarising yourself with the basic SIR model in NetLogo.
• Read a couple of the recommended papers and choose a question. Keep your question simple! Note: your question does not have to be novel—you may choose a question from one of the readings.
• Determine how you need to modify the SIR model in order to answer your question: Do you need to change the disease model? Do you need to change the population structure or attributes?
• Decide what experiments you need to run—which scenarios you need to compare—in order to answer your question.
