In the context of the scientific method, what does the term 'hypothesis' refer to?

In the context of the scientific method, a hypothesis refers to an inductive reasoning proposition. A hypothesis is a testable prediction that emerges from observations and existing knowledge. It serves as a starting point for further experimentation and research. The process of forming a hypothesis often involves looking at specific instances to draw broader conclusions, which is a hallmark of inductive reasoning.

Inductive reasoning moves from specific observations to general conclusions. For example, if a scientist observes that a certain type of fertilizer seems to lead to better plant growth in several tests, they might hypothesize that this fertilizer will generally improve plant growth under similar conditions. This turns the specific observations into a general testable statement that guides the experiment.

Collecting data and determining outcomes are essential steps in the scientific method, but they come after the formulation of the hypothesis. While deductive reasoning is also an important aspect of scientific investigation, it involves starting with a general statement or theory and deriving specific predictions from it, which does not align with the nature of a hypothesis in this context.