The company offered little 'by way of explanation' for the delays. [=as a way of explaining why there were delays]
Some of the more technical terms need/require 'explanation'. [=they need to be explained]
a likely/probable/possible/plausible 'explanation of' how the accident occurred
(..) Everyone knows where everyone lives. All this talk of civil unrest. Someone's been stirring the pot, sire. Gout playing up, sire? It's the damp. It's the only possible explanation. Get me a brandy. The mood of the people, sire, it's turning ugly. They're commoners, Alfrid. They've always been ugly. (..)2013 The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug