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While the WLC method operationalises relatively simple, intuitive Boolean logic operations to produce composite maps, it is an ad hoc procedure with minimal theoretical foundation to support it—for example, decision makers seldom understand its two principal elements: (i) the weights assigned to attribute maps; (ii) standardising attribute maps using unverified assumptions of independence among factors (Jiang & Eastman, 2000).

Does this sentence make sense, especially the placement of the "for example"?

Clive · Accepted Answer

First, let me say that I don't understand the subject matter..

As technical writing goes, this is not bad. Here are a few suggestions to make it read like better English..

While the WLC method uses ~~operationalises~~ relatively simple, intuitive Boolean logic operations to produce composite maps, it is an ad hoc procedure with minimal theoretical foundation to support it. For example, decision makers seldom understand its two principal elements, which are the weights assigned to attribute maps, and the standardization of attribute maps using unverified assumptions of independence among factors (Jiang & Eastman, 2000).

Clive

MountainHiker · Answer

While the WLC method operationalises relatively simple, intuitive Boolean logic operations to produce composite maps, it is an ad hoc procedure with minimal theoretical foundation to support it—for example, decision makers seldom understand its two principal elements: (i) the weights assigned to attribute maps; (ii) standardising attribute maps using unverified assumptions of independence among factors (Jiang & Eastman, 2000).

Does this sentence make sense, especially the placement of the "for example"? (emphasis added)

I like Clive's changes because they make the paragraph easier to read.

But let me address your specific question concerning for example. It's correct.

Let me quote from Chicago Manual of Style 17 Edition.

6.88: Em dashes with “that is,” “namely,” “for example,” and similar expressions

An em dash may be used before expressions such as that is or namely.

6.51: Commas with “that is,” “namely,” “for example,” and the like
Bones from various small animals—for example, a squirrel, a cat, a pigeon, and a muskrat—were found in the doctor’s cabinet.

What CMOS is saying is that you can introduce a for example phrase in a sentence by preceding it with a em dash. An em dash is a longer dash. For those of you who like to use alt keys to insert special characters, it is alt + 0151. After for example you need to insert a comma.

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