MICSIM-4j - A General Microsimulation Model User Guide (Version 1.1)

Microsimulation models allow targeted simulations to analyze the impacts of alternative policies, measures, scenarios based on microunits like persons, families, households, firms etc. Meanwhile it is out of question that microsimulation models are a helpful, successful and an imperative instrument for a wide range of policy analyses in the political administration, business area, private and university institutes and consulting groups in general. Though there is a multitude of microsimulation models nowadays developed and in use, however, in most cases they still need skilled handling and experience or another program system when applied. A general, generic stand-alone and platform independent microsimulation model which provides all necessary simulation tools under a common shield, and which is easy to use for non-expert scholars, is still required. The overall objective of this paper and of the new MICSIM-4J is to describe and offer such a userfriendly, non-technical and powerful general microsimulation model, to support impact microanalyses for applied research, teaching and consulting. Though the stand-alone MICSIM-4J as a general tool also allows dynamic model building, its focus is on static microsimulation with a powerful module for the adjustment of microdata.