n South African Journal of Higher Education - Using actor-network theory to study an educational situation: an example from information systems at a technikon : research in higher education

Abstract

Actor-network theory allows a researcher to analyse a complex social setting involving both human and non-human actors. An actor network can be used to model a dynamic and complex set of relationships between these actors. This article describes actor-network theory and shows how it was applied to study and model a situation at a higher education institution. The article shows how the actor-network theory can be used to gain a clearer picture of what is happening in an educational context.