Hypotheses and Scientific Theories: Definitions and Features

Hypotheses and Scientific Theories

Hypotheses

Hypotheses are educated guesses proposed in response to scientific problems. Their function is to guide the principal research, indicating what causes must be analyzed. The hypothesis is a bridge or link between theory and research. A well-formulated hypothesis serves as a guideline for research and, after verification, generates new knowledge that becomes part of human knowledge. The construction of the hypothesis is supported by a system of organized knowledge, forming a theoretical framework demonstrated through empirical verification, to explain and predict possible events or phenomena if the stated relationship is found.

Inductive Hypothesis

An inductive hypothesis arises from the specific observation of facts, events, trends, or associations. This observation is then used to provide a tentative and temporary explanation.

Deductive Hypothesis

A deductive hypothesis starts with general laws or theories that apply to particular situations. Through deductive reasoning, a researcher can develop scientific expectations or assumptions based on general theoretical principles.

Theories

A theory is a logical system consisting of observations, axioms, and postulates, as well as predictions and inference rules that serve to explain a certain set of data and even make predictions about what events will be observable under certain conditions.

Scientific Theories

A scientific theory, in the context of a hypothetical-deductive system, is a scientific explanation or description of a related set of observations or experiments. Thus, a scientific theory is based on assumptions verified by groups of scientists (sometimes an assumption is not directly verifiable, but most of its consequences are).

Features of a Scientific Theory

1. It is consistent with existing theory to the extent it has been experimentally verified, but it often shows that the pre-existing theory is false in a strict sense.
2. It is supported by many strands of evidence rather than a single foundation, thus ensuring that it is probably, if not totally correct, at least a good approximation.
3. It has survived, in the real world, many critical tests that could have falsified it.
4. It makes predictions that might someday be used to falsify it.
5. It is the best explanation known, in the sense of Occam's Razor, among the infinite variety of alternative explanations for the same data.
6. This is true of such established theories as the theory of evolution, special and general relativity, and quantum mechanics.