The ODD protocol: A review and first update

Ecological Modelling
By: , and 

Links

Abstract

The ‘ODD’ (Overview, Design concepts, and Details) protocol was published in 2006 to standardize the published descriptions of individual-based and agent-based models (ABMs). The primary objectives of ODD are to make model descriptions more understandable and complete, thereby making ABMs less subject to criticism for being irreproducible. We have systematically evaluated existing uses of the ODD protocol and identified, as expected, parts of ODD needing improvement and clarification. Accordingly, we revise the definition of ODD to clarify aspects of the original version and thereby facilitate future standardization of ABM descriptions. We discuss frequently raised critiques in ODD but also two emerging, and unanticipated, benefits: ODD improves the rigorous formulation of models and helps make the theoretical foundations of large models more visible. Although the protocol was designed for ABMs, it can help with documenting any large, complex model, alleviating some general objections against such models.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title The ODD protocol: A review and first update
Series title Ecological Modelling
DOI 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2010.08.019
Volume 221
Issue 23
Year Published 2010
Language English
Publisher Elsevier
Contributing office(s) Southeast Ecological Science Center
Description 9 p.
First page 2760
Last page 2768
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details