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Often a passive form can be disambiguated by using an adverb of frequency.

In S7 it is not clear who has made the 'consideration'. S8 resolves this problem by
adding an adverb. S9 deletes 'considered' and leaves 'is', thus indicating that this is
general practice and not something discovered or proposed by the author.

S7. Using the x methodology is considered the same as using the y methodology.
S8. Using the x methodology is generally / usually / often considered the same as using the y
methodology.
S9. Using the x methodology is the same as using the y methodology.

The following verbs when used in the passive are often ambiguous: acknowledge,
conceive, consider, describe, design, develop, fi nd, observe, propose, suggest .

Obviously, there are occasions when the passive form contains no ambiguity and is
perfectly acceptable. For example:

S10. It is well known that smoking causes cancer.
S11. Mobile phone usage during meetings is often criticized.

In S10, this fact is known by everyone. In S11, it is clear that the criticism comes
from other attendees at the meeting.

For more on this critical point see 18.2 and 18.6 in this book, and 10.3 and 10.4 in
English for Research: Grammar, Usage and Style.

7.5 Consider starting a new paragraph to distinguish

between your work and the literature
Throughout the Discussion, and sometimes during your Introduction, you will need
to switch from talking about your work to discussing other authors’ work. Each time
you begin a new area of comparison, begin a new paragraph. This makes it much
easier for the reader to follow.

Also consider using one paragraph to describe other authors’ work and a new para-
graph to describe your own. Constantly switching within the same paragraph from
your work to other authors’ can be quite hard for readers to follow.

The switch from one topic (your work) to another topic (the literature) is much
clearer if it is also visual, i.e. if there is a paragraph break.