categories of explanation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "categories of explanation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing different types or classifications of explanations in a particular context, such as in academic writing or analysis. Example: "In our study, we identified several categories of explanation for the observed phenomena, including psychological, social, and biological factors."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

These strategies were consistent with our prior framing of two broad categories of explanation and facilitation strategies.

International Journal of STEM Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

It turns out that all three categories of explanations are theoretically sound and that limited empirical evidence exists for every category as well, although the empirical research is by no means consistently strong across all of the specific explanations.

Huffington Post

Finally, we ask what these findings have to say about the three categories of explanations (reviewed in detail in my 2013 essay at this blog) for the apparent underinvestment in energy-efficient technologies relative to the predictions of some engineering and economic models: (1) market failures, (2) behavioral effects, and (3) modeling flaws.

Huffington Post

Different categories of explanations have been offered.

Plosone

These three studies use a similar theoretical framework that describes two categories of explanations of research utilization: engineering explanations and socio-organizational explanations.

Health Research Policy and Systems

Table 3 presents the factors associated with mental distress and the most commonly associated symptoms; this is a summary of the broad categories of explanations given by the informants for their mental distress symptoms.

BMC Health Services Research

Similar sentiments were expressed across groups, around 3 categories of explanations: 1. Participants felt that information about income, education or occupation says a lot about "who we are" whereas a biosample only provides information about "what we are".

BMC Medical Ethics

Several broad categories of explanations (3, 54, 60, 61) are generally tested when trying to explain health differences across geographies and social groups but may also drive health differences across individuals in a population.

Global Health Action

This also made it natural to frame discussion around a broad category of explanation rather than narrower notions of "causation" (cf. Hempel, 1965b).

SEP

They may be a consequence of falling crime that lowers crime further.The last category of explanations is perhaps the most intriguing: that criminals simply have fewer opportunities.

The Economist

These three idols all fall into the category of explanations of why we may misperceive the world.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "categories of explanation", ensure that the categories are clearly defined and mutually exclusive to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid creating categories that overlap significantly, as this weakens the analytical value of identifying distinct "categories of explanation". Ensure each category represents a unique aspect or approach to explanation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "categories of explanation" functions as a noun phrase, identifying and grouping different types of explanations. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is usable in written English and serves to classify various explanatory frameworks.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "categories of explanation" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase, particularly in scientific and academic contexts. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is appropriate for classifying various explanatory frameworks. It is commonly used in Science and News & Media. When employing this phrase, ensure categories are well-defined and mutually exclusive. Alternatives such as "types of explanation" or "kinds of explanation" can be used for variety, though "categories of explanation" maintains a formal and analytical tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

types of explanation

Replaces "categories" with "types", a direct synonym, offering a more common phrasing.

kinds of explanation

Substitutes "categories" with "kinds", another synonym, maintaining the same meaning.

classes of explanation

Replaces "categories" with "classes", emphasizing a structured grouping.

classifications of explanation

Highlights the systematic arrangement of explanations into distinct sets.

different explanation types

Inverts the structure, placing the adjective "different" before "explanation types".

groupings of explanation

Focuses on the act of grouping explanations, slightly altering the emphasis.

divisions of explanation

Emphasizes the act of dividing explanations into distinct segments.

various forms of explanation

Uses "forms" to represent the different ways explanations can manifest.

range of explanation types

Highlights the variety within explanation types.

spectrum of explanations

Implies a range of explanations rather than distinct categories.

FAQs

How can I use "categories of explanation" in a sentence?

You can use "categories of explanation" to classify different reasons or justifications for a phenomenon, such as "The study identified several "categories of explanation" for the decline in sales, including market trends and competitor actions".

What are some alternatives to "categories of explanation"?

Alternatives include "types of explanation", "kinds of explanation", or "classifications of explanation", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to use "categories of explanation" or "types of explanation"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and generally interchangeable. "Types of explanation" might be slightly more common in everyday language, while "categories of explanation" can add a more formal or analytical tone.

In academic writing, is "categories of explanation" appropriate?

Yes, "categories of explanation" is entirely appropriate for academic writing. It is often used in research papers and scholarly articles to classify and analyze different explanatory frameworks.