Which term refers to a broad explanation supported by a large body of evidence and that generates new hypotheses?

Which term refers to a broad explanation supported by a large body of evidence and that generates new hypotheses?

• A. Theory
• B. Hypothesis
• C. Peer Review
• D. Inductive Reasoning

Answer: (A)

A scientific theory is a broad explanation supported by a large body of evidence that can generate new hypotheses. It ties together many observations and experiments, explains why things happen across different contexts, and makes predictions that scientists can test with further investigations. Because a theory has withstood extensive testing and accumulated evidence, it serves as a stable framework for understanding phenomena and guiding new research. For example, the theory of evolution explains the diversity of life and leads to predictions about patterns of variation and adaptation that researchers can test. In contrast, a hypothesis is a specific, testable statement about a particular question, not a broad framework. Inductive reasoning is a thinking process that moves from specific observations to general conclusions, not a descriptive term for a comprehensive explanation. Peer review is a quality-control process used to evaluate research, not the explanatory framework itself. Therefore, the term that fits the description is theory.

A scientific theory is a broad explanation supported by a large body of evidence that can generate new hypotheses. It ties together many observations and experiments, explains why things happen across different contexts, and makes predictions that scientists can test with further investigations. Because a theory has withstood extensive testing and accumulated evidence, it serves as a stable framework for understanding phenomena and guiding new research. For example, the theory of evolution explains the diversity of life and leads to predictions about patterns of variation and adaptation that researchers can test.

In contrast, a hypothesis is a specific, testable statement about a particular question, not a broad framework. Inductive reasoning is a thinking process that moves from specific observations to general conclusions, not a descriptive term for a comprehensive explanation. Peer review is a quality-control process used to evaluate research, not the explanatory framework itself. Therefore, the term that fits the description is theory.