What is a hypothesis?

A hypothesis is indeed best defined as a tentative explanation for a phenomenon, subject to testing and validation. This definition captures the essence of how a hypothesis functions in the scientific method: it proposes an idea or an explanation based on limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation. Scientists develop hypotheses to explore relationships or make predictions that can then be tested through experiments and observations.

This process involves rigorously testing the hypothesis, allowing for modifications or rejections based on the evidence gathered. Thus, its tentative nature emphasizes that it is not a definitive answer but rather a proposition that requires further scrutiny.

In contrast to a hypothesis, a proven scientific fact is something that has been established through extensive testing and is widely accepted as true. A generalization based on observation lacks the controlled testing aspect that is inherent in the scientific method. An established scientific theory represents a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world, grounded in a body of evidence and repeated testing, rather than being merely an initial proposition awaiting validation.