Oxford dictionary: a statement or account that makes something clear: the birth rate is central to any explanation OF population trends a reason or justification given for an action or belief: Freud tried to make sex the explanation FOR everything (an 'explanation OF smth', is like giving out an example of something amazing, and 'wows' you. As for, 'explanation FOR smth', that's explaining what it means) Longman: method of/for (doing) something Today's methods of birth control make it possible for a couple to choose whether or not to have a child. Efective methods for the storage and retrieval of information.