Which term describes a well-supported explanation formed from many experiments?

Which term describes a well-supported explanation formed from many experiments?

• A. Hypothesis
• B. Theory
• C. Data
• D. Control

Answer: (B)

The idea being tested is how a broad, well-supported explanation comes about in science. When results from many different experiments align under various conditions, that overarching explanation is called a theory. It isn’t just a guess; it’s a robust framework backed by extensive evidence and capable of making reliable predictions in new situations. For example, the theory of evolution is supported by genetics, fossils, comparative anatomy, and observations of natural selection, all accumulating over time to form a coherent explanation. A hypothesis is a testable statement you propose to examine in a study, not the broad, long-tested explanation that emerges after many experiments. Data are the measurements and observations collected during experiments. A control is a standard of comparison used to isolate the effect of the variable you’re testing.

The idea being tested is how a broad, well-supported explanation comes about in science. When results from many different experiments align under various conditions, that overarching explanation is called a theory. It isn’t just a guess; it’s a robust framework backed by extensive evidence and capable of making reliable predictions in new situations. For example, the theory of evolution is supported by genetics, fossils, comparative anatomy, and observations of natural selection, all accumulating over time to form a coherent explanation.

A hypothesis is a testable statement you propose to examine in a study, not the broad, long-tested explanation that emerges after many experiments. Data are the measurements and observations collected during experiments. A control is a standard of comparison used to isolate the effect of the variable you’re testing.