A hypothesis is a statement that is:
A best guess about a particular process
Provable using experiments
Testable using experiments
Can neither be proved or disproved
A hypothesis is testable using experiments. This makes option C the correct answer in the multiple-choice question.
Option Analysis
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A: Best guess about a particular process—Incorrect, as a scientific hypothesis exceeds a mere guess; it requires specificity, clarity, and grounding in existing knowledge or observations.
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B: Provable using experiments—Incorrect, since experiments can support or refute a hypothesis but cannot definitively prove it due to potential unknowns or alternative explanations.
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C: Testable using experiments—Correct, defining a hypothesis as a clear, falsifiable prediction that experiments or data can validate or disprove.
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D: Can neither be proved nor disproved—Incorrect, as this describes non-scientific ideas; scientific hypotheses must be falsifiable through testing.
Hypothesis Characteristics
A testable hypothesis in science predicts relationships between variables, such as “Increased sunlight exposure enhances plant growth rates,” allowing experimental verification. Core traits include specificity (clear variables), falsifiability (can be disproven), and testability via methods like controlled experiments. In research, it guides study design, from null hypotheses (no effect) to alternatives predicting outcomes.
Role in Scientific Method
Formulate a testable hypothesis after observing phenomena and reviewing literature, then test it empirically. For CSIR NET Life Sciences, examples include hypothesizing enzyme kinetics effects on reaction rates, testable via assays. Strong hypotheses advance knowledge by enabling reproducible predictions.
