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Abstract

“ Une séduction ethnographique ” — Comment la recherche qualitative et la modélisation par agents peuvent bénéficier l’un à l’autre : Nous proposons ici un cadre analytique général pour des simultations multi-agent informées par des données empiriques. Cette méthode pourrait fournir aux modèles par agents d’aujourd’hui une représentation correcte et appropriée des comportements d’agents sociaux, une représentation que les données statistiques échouent souvent à produire, tout particulièrement au niveau micro et au sujet des populations cachées ou sensibles. En retour, les simulations pourraient fournir aux sociologues et anthropologues qualitatifs des outils précieux pour : (a) questionner certains cadres théoriques et en tester la cohérence ; (b) reproduire et généraliser les résultats ; (c) fournir une plateforme pour la validation multi-disciplinaire des résultats.

We provide a general analytical framework for empirically informed agent-based simulations. This methodology provides present-day agent-based models with a sound and proper insight as to the behavior of social agents — an insight that statistical data often fall short of providing at least at a micro level and for hidden and sensitive populations. In the other direction, simulations can provide qualitative researchers in sociology, anthropology and other fields with valuable tools for: (a) testing the consistency and pushing the boundaries, of specific theoretical frameworks; (b) replicating and generalizing results; (c) providing a platform for cross-disciplinary validation of results.

Keywords

Données qualitatives Ethnographie Modélisation par agents Transdisciplinarité

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‘‘An Ethnographic Seduction’’: How Qualitative Research and Agent-based Models can Benefit Each Other

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