Current understanding
to re-examine …
to revisit …
… the long-standing issue of …
… the long-standing question
to take up and build on earlier research
The issue, problem, cause etc. of …
… merits further study
… deserves further consideration
… is worth examining more closely
… is worth exploring further
… has not yet been addressed fully
… is neglected in current theory
… is not yet clearly understood
… is not yet completely understood
… is not well understood
… is poorly understood
successive attempts have failed to solve
this approach gives a better basis for …
The problem is a complex one.
… presents a difficult set of problems
… poses a number of problems:
… poses particular problems in cases where …
the prevailing view is that …
… is widely perceived as …
the question has been raised whether …
Present understanding of … is limited.
the field of … is still relatively undeveloped
there is as yet or at present no consensus on …
As yet, no one explanation has gained acceptance.
there is at present little agreement on the causes of etc. …
there is at present no general agreement on the causes of etc. …
there is still considerable disagreement on the causes of etc. …
the mechanism by which … is unknown or not well understood
the controversial question of …
much of our knowledge of … comes from …
the task of … is complicated further by …
The impact of … on … is not easy to determine
The effect of … on … has not been examined in detail.
its effects on … have not previously been studied in detail
Importance of the study
The study is important for a number of reasons:
The study is of relevance because …
It is important to …
the importance of …
an important aspect of …
… is an important or urgent subject for study
… is needed
… is necessary
… warrants further investigation
… warrants closer scrutiny or examination
The problem merits further investigation.
… is worth examining for its own sake
… to shed light on a number of issues or problem areas in current theory
Resolution of this problem would …
the prospect of a breakthrough in …
Other authors have also called for …
This study, thesis, paper etc.
… may show or reveal …
… may stimulate the debate on …
… may provide evidence of or for …
… may contribute to our understanding of …
… may contribute towards a better understanding of …
… may offer an alternative view or explanation of …
… may enable a better explanation of …