ABSTRACT
Actor-network theory is another qualitative approach that has been increasingly applied in recent years to study the environment. This chapter defines what is meant by actor-network theory, discusses its goals and objectives, and examines two recent environmental studies that use actor-network theory. The idea behind actor-network theory is to treat systems as networks of connections and to treat objects within these networks as actors interacting through these connections. The scientific method involves a process of steady accumulation of improved understanding through repeated testing of hypotheses. Latour’s application of actor-network theory to the practice of science has important practical implications for doing successful science. In actor-network theory, the influence of human actants stems not just from their intrinsic qualities but also from the strength and power of their connections with other actants in the system.
