
Concept explainers
The difference between hypothesis and theory.

Answer to Problem 1Q
Theories are initiated from hypothesis.When one gives an explanation about a fact based on some observation, it is known as hypothesis and when a set of ideas are explained for a fact, it is known as theory.
Explanation of Solution
Introduction:
When a phenomenon is observed, a scientist tries to find a natural cause for its occurrence. If any existing theory cannot explain the phenomenon, he creates a hypothesis that can be experimentally tested.
Thereafter, a researcher plans and creates an experiment, which is performed to test the hypothesis and a conclusion is attained. Based on the conclusion, a theory can be proposed if the results obtained are reproducible and provides similar observation everytime.
Expalnation:
Following are some points which describe the difference between hypothesis and theory.
Hypothesis | Theory |
• It is a set of statements termed as an explanation for how a specific phenomenon occurs. | • It is an explanation about a natural phenomenon which is testable. |
• Verification of hypothesis is nothing but the theory. | • Theory can be verified by a number of experiments. |
• The hypothesis is a tentative description of observations. | • The theory is a principle which explains the observations. |
• Hypothesis justifies only a particular or single fact which is to be tested. | • Theory confirms the hypothesis and can be appliedto other circumstances. |
• The hypothesis is subjective. | • The theory is objective. |
Conclusion:
Thus, the hypothesis and theory are two inter-dependent concepts but different in nature. Theories are initiated from hypothesis.When one gives an explanation about a fact based on some evidence, it becomes hypothesis, and when a set of ideas are explained for a particular fact, it is theory.
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Chapter 1 Solutions
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