scientific theory
Evidence-backed natural explanation
A scientific theory is a well-substantiated explanation of natural phenomena, supported by extensive evidence and repeated testing.
Unlike the everyday sense of theory as mere speculation, a scientific theory represents the highest level of certainty in science: the theory of evolution, germ theory, the theory of relativity.
Theories unify observations, make testable predictions, and can be refined but are rarely discarded entirely.
Testable proposed explanation
- paradigmGoverning framework of thought
- frameworkUnderlying support system
- modelRepresentation or paradigm
- mechanismMeans by which something operates
laws · principles · phenomena · causation · prediction · falsifiability · evidence-based · correlation
Systematic testing of ideas
- observationAttentive watching or remark
- dataFacts for analysis
- analysisMethodical study of parts
- empiricalBased on observation, not theory
laboratory · fieldwork · quantitative · qualitative · statistics · protocol · variables · control group
Species changing over generations
- relativityHow observers differ
- gravityMutual mass attraction
- quantum mechanicsPhysics at nanoscopic scales
- big bangLoud explosive noise
plate tectonics · heliocentrism · natural selection · thermodynamics
Conclusion from premises
- inductionFormal admission process
- inferenceConclusion reached through reasoning
- logicScience of valid reasoning
- skepticismDisposition toward doubt
critical thinking · objectivity · rationalism · coherence · abstraction · axiom · corollary · postulate
Guess from limited facts
- speculationUnproven theorizing or risky investment
- refinementElegance of manner
- revisionAltering to improve
- paradigm shiftWholesale replacement of frameworks
breakthrough · discovery · formulation · validation · confirmation · modification · supersession · synthesis
hypothesis
Testable proposed explanation
- paradigmGoverning framework of thought
- frameworkUnderlying support system
- modelRepresentation or paradigm
mechanism · laws · principles · phenomena · causation · prediction · falsifiability · evidence-based · correlation · generalization
experimentation
Systematic testing of ideas
- observationAttentive watching or remark
- dataFacts for analysis
- analysisMethodical study of parts
empirical · laboratory · fieldwork · quantitative · qualitative · statistics · protocol · variables · control group · replication
evolution
Species changing over generations
- relativityHow observers differ
- gravityMutual mass attraction
- quantum mechanicsPhysics at nanoscopic scales
big bang · plate tectonics · heliocentrism · natural selection · thermodynamics
deduction
Conclusion from premises
- inductionFormal admission process
- inferenceConclusion reached through reasoning
- logicScience of valid reasoning
skepticism · critical thinking · objectivity · rationalism · coherence · abstraction · axiom · corollary · postulate · premise
conjecture
Guess from limited facts
- speculationUnproven theorizing or risky investment
- refinementElegance of manner
- revisionAltering to improve
paradigm shift · breakthrough · discovery · formulation · validation · confirmation · modification · supersession · synthesis · unification
- reference worksencyclopedia, encyclopedias, handbook, dictionaries, reference book
scientific theoryspeculation
Unproven theorizing or risky investment
conjecture · guesswork · pseudoscience · superstition · wild guess
scientific theoryreligious dogma
Fixed spiritual beliefs
faith · divine revelation · intuition · tradition · received wisdom
scientific theoryhunch
Unproven inner sense
just-so story · hypothesis · raw data · educated guess · fringe theory
scientific, theory, science, sciences, scientist, scientists, scientism, unscientific, scientifically