scholarly journals Information science as an interscience: rethinking science method and practice; Information cosmopolitics: an actor-network theory approach to information practices

2016 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 338-339
Author(s):  
Diana Fehsenfeld
Keyword(s):  
Network Theory ◽  
Information Science ◽  
Actor Network Theory ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Science Method ◽  
Actor Network ◽  
Information Practices

scholarly journals Informaatiokäytäntöjen tutkimuksen teoreettisia ja metodologisia mahdollisuuksia

2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (3-4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaakko Louhivuori
Keyword(s):  
Network Theory ◽  
Science And Technology Studies ◽  
Common Ground ◽  
Actor Network Theory ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Practice Research ◽  
Holistic View ◽  
Actor Network ◽  
Information Practices ◽  
History Of

In this article I ponder how the actor-network theory and the practice-based studies can be applied in information practices research. The history of the actor-network theory goes back to the 1970s and 1980s and is linked to sociology as well as science and technology studies. Actually it was not intended to be so much a theory, but more like a method of combining actors into a wider story without preconceived ideas or laws of thought. In recent years, information practice research has paid more attention to the practice-based studies than to the actor-network theory. The quest for the full recognition of nonhuman factors as a part of information generation and its utilisation can be observed as a common ground with these two approaches. I believe, that if we apply the components of the actor-network theory and practice-based studies, we will get a more holistic view of information practices. These views and results may be used to review information practices and to develop the information processes further.

scholarly journals An Actor Network Approach to Informing Clients Through Portals

10.28945/2935 ◽  
2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arthur Tatnall ◽  
Bill Davey
Keyword(s):  
Network Theory ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Actor Network Theory ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Actor Network ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
Statistical Effects ◽  
Alternative Theories ◽  
The Web

Portals are often seen as an appropriate method of informing clients. A problem of all web based solutions to informing clients is that the web is passive: clients must come to the web site. Approaches to research into use of portals are usually socio-technical, with common use of statistical techniques applied to survey results. Here we argue, informed by two detailed cases, that an actor network theory approach yields better results, more efficiently, when the case involves a number of small businesses being the clients. Alternative theories such as diffusion theories, based on the work of Rodgers and others, are more applicable when large, statistical effects are being anticipated.

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