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Cited by 710

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 97 of the 97 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Ten simple rules for the computational modeling of behavioral data

Open access
Wilson, Robert C, Collins, Anne GE·2019·eLife

Abstract

Computational modeling of behavior has revolutionized psychology and neuroscience. By fitting models to experimental data we can probe the algorithms underlying behavior, find neural correlates of computational variables and better understand the effects of drugs, illness and interventions. But with great power comes great responsibility. Here, we offer ten simple rules to ensure that computational modeling is used with care and yields meaningful insights. In particular, we present a beginner-friendly, pragmatic and details-oriented introduction on how to relate models to data. What, exactly, can a model tell us about the mind? To answer this, we apply our rules to the simplest modeling techniques most accessible to beginning modelers and illustrate them with examples and code available online. However, most rules apply to more advanced techniques. Our hope is that by following our guidelines, researchers will avoid many pitfalls and unleash the power of computational modeling on their own data.

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Research works printed but not linked: 3

  1. Acerbi L. 2018. Variational bayesian monte carlo. Advances in Neural Information Processing Systems. https://papers.nips.cc/paper/8043-variational-bayesian-monte-carlo.
  2. Busemeyer, 2010, Cognitive Modeling
  3. Donkin, 2014, Landscaping analyses of the ROC predictions of discrete-slots and signal-detection models of visual working memory, Attention, Perception, & Psychophysics, 76, 2103, 10.3758/s13414-013-0561-7 · doi:10.3758/s13414-013-0561-7

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Metadata

Authors
Wilson, R. C., & Collins, A. G.
Venue
eLife
Published
2019-11-26
Volume
8
ISSN
2050-084X (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2989963295
Cited by
710
References
97
FWCI
35.02
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
gold
Funders
  • National Institute on Aging (R56 AG061888)
  • National Science Foundation (1640885)
  • National Institute of Mental Health (R01 MH118279)

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Wilson, R. C., & Collins, A. G. (2019). Ten simple rules for the computational modeling of behavioral data. eLife. https://doi.org/10.7554/elife.49547

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