The scope and delimitations of the study

The general question subsumes several related questions

[x] is effective from the perspective of

There is no question of complicity of [x] in perpetuating the theory

Our contribution, if any, to the debate will consist largely in submitting estimates of…

The variability in the strength of constraints across theories is striking

The constraint in question derives from circumstances of data gathered using …

For practical reasons spelled out more fully in… I’ll resort to retrospective questions

Thus considered [x] may be abandoned altogether

Seen in their relations to goals [x] can be understood in different though not incompatible ways

The underlying mutuality of systematic impositions should be considered

In conformity with the tradition of studies in [x]

the initial research question/ hypothesis can be formulated / stated as follows the lead of scholars who believe…

According to the traditional interpretations of…, including those of NN

Our governing principle in (the analysis)

is/ will be

(theoretical dimensions/ structure of) [x]

Our interest (now)/ my emphasis obviously

centres /

will be on

(the underlying patterns of…) [x]

Our contribution, if any, to the debate

will consist

(largely) in

submitting (measurements and estimates of…)

Here the emphasis

is not (so

much on

[x])/

will not be

[x] / to…

[x] (a literal chronological account

of the development of that concept)

but rather (on / the presumed effect of…)

This research

Our goal

to (explore in any depth the problem of [x] or the alternative approaches to it advocated by various theorists)

There is (a number/variety of)

theoretical/

empirical/

systematic/

theoretical

constraints

to be taken into account

requirements

imposed on…

The underlying (mutuality of)

restrictions

is/are attributed to [x]

impositions

should be considered…

The variability in (the strength of)

constraints across theories

is striking

We will make

no systematic effort to (review [x])

for (there are several recent and

comprehensive studies/reviews of…

It needs to be

no concern of… to (investigate [x])

(The category/

question of) [X]

is irrelevant to the analysis of [x]

for (the following reasons)

is beyond/ not within the scope of

the present investigation

The constraint

in question

comes/ derives from/operates

through

circumstances of data gathered using ()

There is

no question of

complicity of [x] in perpetuating the theory

For practical/theoretical reasons (as

explained above/spelled out more fully in…)

we

were severely limited in the amount of information to be collected

As a (practical) matter

chose to emphasize

resorted to (retrospective) questions so as to

Thus considered/seen (in their relations to goals)/ looked at on another basis

[x] can be considered as… / understood in different though not incompatible ways / may be adopted / abandoned altogether / (the study of) [x] may (also) involve (the creation of…) / it is simple to ascertain

On the basis of the () findings/ concepts

From an empirical/ logical point of view/ this perspective

The point of view from which we approach [x]

involves a set of criteria in terms of which [x] may be ranked along a scale

prescribes that analysis should focus on the common () aspect