The difference between a hypothesis and a theory lies primarily in their roles, evidence, and level of acceptance in the scientific process:
- Hypothesis : A hypothesis is a tentative, testable explanation or prediction about a specific phenomenon. It is an educated guess based on limited evidence, proposed before research or experimentation is conducted. A hypothesis guides the design of experiments and can be supported or disproven through testing. It is generally specific and temporary, subject to change based on new data
- Theory : A theory is a well-substantiated, comprehensive explanation of some aspect of the natural world that is supported by a large body of evidence gathered through repeated observations and experiments. Unlike a hypothesis, a theory has been extensively tested and is widely accepted within the scientific community. Theories explain why phenomena occur and have predictive power. While theories can evolve with new evidence, they are generally stable and not mere guesses
In summary, a hypothesis is an initial, testable idea or prediction, whereas a theory is a thoroughly tested and generally accepted explanation that integrates and explains a wide range of observations.
