Hypothesis

In scientific terms, a statement, proposition, or assumption serving as a tentative or proposed explanation of some phenomenon or entity presented so that it is amenable to tests on the basis of evidence which will either support or refuse its acceptance.

A scientific hypothesis should not be considered an educated guess – depending of course upon how one defines ‘guess’ – the word ‘speculation’ might better describe such guesses.

(see also: construct, verification, confirmation, hypothesis testing, implication, Diagnosticity, viability, theory (scientific), explanatory power, null hypothesis)

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