Chapter 1, Problem 5STP

Summary Introduction

To analyze:

Compare and contrast a scientific hypothesis and a scientific theory.

Introduction:

Hypothesis is an assumption before any topic of research. A theory is a principle to explain the phenomena which have already supported data. Theory has always evidence but hypothesis is only testable and suggest possible outcome.

Explanation of Solution

The comparison of hypothesis and theory can be studies from the table below:

S.No.	Basic comparison	Scientific hypothesis	Scientific theory
1	Meaning	It is a prediction of a possible outcome.	It is a well proved phenomenon.
2	Testable	yes	yes
3	Data	Based on limited information.	Based on confirm information.
4	Basic aim	Propose new experiment and observation.	Explained by proved experiment.
5	Well tested	No	Yes

Conclusion

Thus, scientific hypothesis is information before experiment done and scientific theory is data after completion of any experiment.