How is a hypothesis similar to theory?

Question

Both a hypothesis and a theory are statements that refer only to data.
Both a hypothesis and a theory are statements that refer only to data.

Both a hypothesis and a theory are conclusions about why things happen.
Both a hypothesis and a theory are conclusions about why things happen.

Both a hypothesis and a theory need evidence to support them.
Both a hypothesis and a theory need evidence to support them.

Both a hypothesis and a theory are always accepted as true statements.

Answer 1

The most accurate similarity between a hypothesis and a theory from the options you provided is:

Both a hypothesis and a theory need evidence to support them.

A hypothesis is a specific, testable prediction about what you expect to happen in your study, while a theory is a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world that is based on a body of evidence. Both need empirical evidence to be validated or supported.

The other statements are incorrect:

• "Both a hypothesis and a theory are statements that refer only to data." This is misleading because theories explain data but are not merely statements about the data themselves.

• "Both a hypothesis and a theory are conclusions about why things happen." This is partially true, but a hypothesis is more about predictions, while a theory provides broader explanations.

• "Both a hypothesis and a theory are always accepted as true statements." This is incorrect, as neither is considered universally true; both remain open to revision based on new evidence.