title: Actor-Network Theory as a sociotechnical lens to explore the relationship of nurses and technology in practice: methodological considerations for nursing research.
abstract: Actor-Network Theory is a research lens that has gained popularity in the nursing and health sciences domains. The perspective allows a researcher to describe the interaction of actors (both human and non-human) within networked sociomaterial contexts, including complex practice environments where nurses and health technology operate. This study will describe Actor-Network Theory and provide methodological considerations for researchers who are interested in using this sociotechnical lens within nursing and informatics-related research. Considerations related to technology conceptualization, levels of analysis, and sampling procedures in Actor-Network Theory based research are addressed. Finally, implications for future nursing research within complex environments are highlighted.
authors.affiliation: Arthur Labatt Family School of Nursing, Western University, London, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Richard G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Booth
authors.affiliation: Arthur Labatt Family School of Nursing, Western University, London, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Mary-Anne
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Andrusyszyn
authors.affiliation: Arthur Labatt Family School of Nursing, Western University, London, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Carroll
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Iwasiw
authors.affiliation: Arthur Labatt Family School of Nursing/Health Studies, Western University, London, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Lorie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Donelle
authors.affiliation: Carson College of Business, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Compeau
mesh_terms: D020811:Biomedical Technology; D006801:Humans; D062069:Inventions; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009726:Nurses; D048108:Nursing Informatics; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research
keywords: Actor-Network Theory; constant comparison; informatics; methodology; nursing; sociomaterial; sociotechnical; technology