Joint work with Wolfgang Jank

The purpose of this research is to develop dynamic choice models that allow for social interactions and influences - either as intrinsic components of the choice process (e.g., in auctions) or as components of information search (e.g., in diffusion studies) and individual decision processes (e.g., in life-style choices). These choice models are developed using agent--based modeling techniques and analyzed by applying and creating functional data analysis methods which facilitate transforming agent--based modeling output in ways that permit visual--based understanding and analytic reasoning. Specifically, we work on three interrelated issues: (1) the development and application of agent-based models to investigate effects of social interaction on time--dependent choice behavior; (2) the use and development of functional data--analytic tools for understanding and improving agent-based models; and (3) empirical investigations of auction and choice behavior to obtain substantive insights which in turn inform modeling efforts.