Citing Simulation-Based Research: APA, MLA, or Chicago?

Agent-based models, computational simulations, and experimental social systems are now central to many fields of research — from political science to behavioral economics. But while researchers pour their energy into designing accurate models and generating replicable outputs, one crucial aspect is often overlooked: how to cite and document this work.

In the world of simulation-based research, proper citation is more than just a technical requirement. It’s about building transparency, enabling reproducibility, and acknowledging the hybrid nature of sources — often combining code, data, theory, and narrative. So which style should you use: APA, MLA, or Chicago?

Why Citation Style Matters in Simulation Research

At first glance, citation formatting might seem like an administrative detail. But for simulation-based research, it’s a structural pillar. Simulations often rely on multiple layers of information:

• Published theory (journal articles, books)
• Empirical data (open datasets, government sources)
• Code or software (GitHub repositories, model documentation)
• Multimedia or visual outputs (animated results, dashboards)

Referencing these elements consistently ensures that your readers can trace your logic, replicate your approach, and build upon your model. And that's where choosing the right citation style comes in.

For a breakdown of each format’s features, strengths, and common use cases, see Citation Style Guide 2025.

APA Style: A Natural Fit for Social Science Modeling

APA (American Psychological Association) is widely used across psychology, sociology, and education — making it an obvious candidate for simulation studies in social sciences.

Strengths:

• Emphasizes recency with the author–date format
• Encourages concise in-text citations like (Jansen, 2022)
• Includes specific guidance for citing datasets, software, and DOIs

Simulation Example:

If you're citing a model described in a publication:

(Jansen, 2022)

And in the reference list:

Jansen, M. (2022). Agent-based modeling of trust in online communities. Simulation and Society Press.

For code repositories or datasets:

Becker, T. (2021). ABM_COVID19_simulator (Version 2.3) [Computer software]. GitHub. https://github.com/tbecker-abm/covid19sim APA’s growing compatibility with digital artifacts makes it ideal for modelers publishing in interdisciplinary journals.

MLA Style: Rare, but Still Relevant

MLA (Modern Language Association) is dominant in humanities — literature, languages, and media studies. It's rarely used in simulation modeling, but it may surface in cross-disciplinary work involving cultural or philosophical analysis of models.

Strengths:

• Emphasizes authorship and page number, which can aid in close reading of written outputs
• Clean, citation-light format fits well in essays or reflections on simulation ethics

Simulation Example:

Citing an article:

(Becker 45)

Works Cited:

Becker, Thomas. Agent-Based Rhetoric: Simulating Cultural Dialogue. Journal of Digital Humanities, vol. 6, no. 2, 2022, pp. 41–59.

MLA can be effective if your work analyzes models as narratives or media artifacts rather than technical tools.

Chicago Style: Flexibility for Historical and Technical Depth

Chicago offers the richest options — with two systems:

• Notes and Bibliography (NB) — common in history and qualitative studies
• Author–Date — often used in sciences and technical fields

Strengths:

• Supports footnotes — ideal for contextual commentary, methodology notes, or detailed attributions
• Allows citing unpublished materials, software, datasets, and even personal communications

Simulation Example (NB system)

In-text:

¹ Thomas Becker, Modeling Public Opinion with ABMs (Simulation Press, 2022), 88.

Bibliography:

Becker, Thomas. Modeling Public Opinion with ABMs. Simulation Press, 2022.

For software:

Becker, Thomas. COVID-TrustSim. GitHub repository. Last modified June 2023. https://github.com/tbecker-abm/trustsim

If you're producing archival, long-form research with complex source material, Chicago NB offers unparalleled clarity.

Simulation-Specific Citation Needs

Choosing a citation style is about more than preference. For agent-based and simulation studies, consider the following:

Element	Why It Matters	How to Cite
Agent-Based Model (ABM)	Captures structure, rules, and behavior of agents in simulated environments	Use software or dataset citation format; include name, version, and source (e.g., GitHub)
Simulation Output Data	Represents results from model runs and forms the basis for analysis	Treat as a dataset; mention simulation conditions and date of generation
Code Repository	Ensures transparency and reproducibility of simulation	Include repository name, platform (e.g., GitHub), commit/version, and URL
Model Documentation	Explains model assumptions, structure, and rationale	Cite as a technical report, preprint, or white paper depending on availability
Simulation Software	Provides the computational environment for running models	Follow citation rules for software tools (e.g., NetLogo, Repast)
Parameter Settings	Critical for replicating simulation behavior and validating results	Include in-text mention or cite supplementary material describing the configuration

What ESSA Researchers Tend to Use

While ESSA doesn’t mandate a specific style, most papers and conference presentations fall into social science categories — sociology, political science, environmental studies — where APA or Chicago Author–Date are common.

If your simulation:

• Models social behavior based on survey or field data → Go with APA
• Uses historical case studies or archival sources → Opt for Chicago NB
• Explores philosophical, cultural, or semiotic meanings of models → MLA might apply

And if you’re preparing a submission to a specific journal or conference proceedings, always check their author guidelines first.

Referencing Tools for Simulation Researchers

Managing references for models, data, and software can be challenging. These tools can simplify the process:

Zotero: Excellent for tagging datasets and GitHub repos

Mendeley: Great for PDF-based literature and group collaboration

BibLaTeX: If you’re writing in LaTeX, customize citation styles to include software

Cite This For Me: Quick generator for APA, MLA, or Chicago formats

Choose, Then Be Consistent

There’s no single perfect citation style for simulation-based research. The best choice depends on your audience, research questions, and publication venue.

Whether you follow APA, MLA, or Chicago, your goal should be consistency, transparency, and clarity — especially in a field where reproducibility is essential.

“Citations are not bureaucracy — they’re blueprints. They show others where your model comes from, and where it could go.”

And if you're still unsure, use the comprehensive Citation Style Guide 2025 to compare formats and pick the best one for your simulation work.

✍️ About the Author

This article was prepared by the ESSA content team in collaboration with academic contributors focused on simulation transparency and scholarly communication.

Let us know how you cite your models in our upcoming ESSA 2025 blog series.