Hypothesis vs. Theory

Main Difference

The scientific method is the comprehensive method of checking the validly of the various phenomena and statement. It mainly comprises of the six basic steps, which are followed by the one to gain the best possible results. As we know that science is the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world; it is used to search the truths through the techniques like observation and experiment. It should be kept mentioned that observation and experiment are two main parts of the scientific method Here we will be differentiating between two of the important components of the scientific method. One is the hypothesis, and the other is a theory. The hypothesis is the guess or the assumption made after the observation is made; it is not backed by the evidence or any logic. On the other hand, the theory is the well-substantiated explanation of natural phenomena, the evidence backs it, and at the same time, it is testable and false.

Difference Between Hypothesis and Theory

Comparison Chart

What is Hypothesis?

The hypothesis is the statement, assumption or the guess about the results of the certain experiment. It is the important component of the scientific method, which comes after the observation is made about the phenomena. In other words, we can say that it is a statement, which shows the initial understanding of the learner after witnessing the observation. The hypothesis is not backed by evidence and is not scientifically tested or proven; it is a suggested explanation of the phenomena of the observations made in this regards. The hypothesis is based on the very limited data, but it can open up paths of the further research which can even reach to the theory level after it is checked again and again and is backed by the strong evidence. A hypothesis is the unproven or the tentative statement, although its validity can be tested through the results obtained from the experiments. The scientific method comprises of the six basic components here they are in the hierarchal order: Purpose/Question, Observation, Hypothesis, Experiment, Data Analysis, and Conclusions. The hypothesis comes in between the observation and experiment; it is the predictive statement one comes up with after witnessing the observation. The hypothesis can even become the theory or the law after it backs the results obtained from the experiments and have strong evidence behind. For the hypothesis to become the theory, a thorough research is required along with the supportive results. The good hypothesis should be about the general phenomena and should be in the concise language.

What is Theory?

A theory is a supposition or a system of ideas intended to explain something, especially one based on general principles independent of the thing to be explained. The theory is backed by certain prove and can be testable and false able. It is based on the proven factors after the strong research, and the scientific results came up with the similar results after checking it numerous times. As science is the search for truth, the theory is the answer to it which response to the answers like why and when. According to the experts, the theory is the set of principles about the phenomena; they are the group of facts that can be tested through the proper channel. A statement backed by some evidence doesn’t turn out the theory immediately; it is cross checked by the different scientists. The scientist does the repetitive experiments, and then the collective proposition leads to the theory. A good theory should have the quality to explain the different components of the scientific method, observation, and the experiments such words that they are even understandable by the layperson.