What are alternatives to the verb “study” (in the meaning of “research”)?

When writing scientific discussions (articles, book chapters, reports, ...), I frequently feel short on synonyms of the verb study, which I use extensively in sentences such as “in the next section, we study the influence of ... on ...”. The alternatives I frequently use include investigate, research, look into, and shed light into (with a slightly different meaning). What I like in study and its synonyms is its rather generic meaning: it does not actually specify the type of research being done, which is desirable in some occasions.

As a consequence, I am looking for other alternatives to this verb, or constructs similar to the example quoted above (“in the next section, we study the influence of ... on ...”), to improve my writing.

Solution 1:

I think these might work:
1. Pay attention to
2. Consider
3. Brainstorm
4. Canvass
5. Scrutinize
6. Discuss
7. Contemplate
8. Survey

Solution 2:

The alternatives I can think of are:

• analyze
• check out (informal)
• cram (informal)
• explore
• hit the books (informal)
• inquire into
• inspect
• learn
• look at
• read
• review

Solution 3:

I'd try to convey how the next section achieves something. For example, the next section ..

• introduces
• surveys
• analyzes
• concludes
• compares
• collects
• defines
• hypothesizes
• assumes

something about your field of study.