Actor-Network versus Network Analysis versus Digital Networks: Are We Talking about the Same Networks?

Tommaso Venturini, Anders Kristian Munk, Mathieu Jacomy

    Research output: Contribution to book/anthology/report/conference proceedingBook chapterResearchpeer-review

    21 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    This paper discusses the differences and affinities among three types of networks (namely Actor-Networks, Social Networks and Digital Networks) that are playing an increasingly important role in digital STS. In the last few decades, the notion of networks has slowly but steadily struck root across broad strands of STS research. It started with the advent of actor-network theory, which provided a convenient instrument to describe the construction work of socio-technical phenomena. Then came network analysis, and scholars who imported into STS the techniques of investigation and visualization developed in the tradition of social network analysis and scientometrics. Finally, with the increasing ‘computerization’ of STS, scholars turned their attention to digital networks as a way of tracing collective life. Many researchers have more or less explicitly tried to link these three movements in one coherent set of digital methods, betting on the idea that actor-network theory can be operationalized through network analysis thanks to the data provided by digital networks. Yet, to be honest, the affinity between these three objects is sketchy at best. Besides the homonym ‘network’, there is little to is little to show for it. Are we sure that we are talking about the same thing?
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationDigital STS : A Field Guide for Science & Technology Studies
    EditorsJanet Vertesi, David Ribes
    Place of PublicationPrinceton, New Jersey, USA
    PublisherPrinceton University Press
    Publication date7 May 2019
    Pages510-524
    Chapter32
    ISBN (Print)9780691187075, 9780691187082
    ISBN (Electronic)9780691190600
    Publication statusPublished - 7 May 2019

    Keywords

    • ANT
    • Actor-Network Theory
    • Digital Methods
    • Network Science
    • Network Analysis
    • Gephi
    • SNA
    • Social Network Analysis
    • STS
    • Controversy Mapping

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