Evolution
Hypothesis, Theory and Fact
Hypothesis
= An idea or possible explanation about something observed that suggests a question
= A tentative statement such as ‘if A happens then B must happen’ that can be tested by direct
. experiment or observation.
. i.e. hypothesis are testable ideas
Theory
= A general explanation of an important natural phenonium with a reliable body of evidence that
. has developed through extensive and repeated observations and experiments to support it.
= A set of statements or principles devised to explain a group of facts or phenomena.
. Most theories that are accepted by scientists have been repeatedly tested by experiments
. and can be used to make predictions about natural phenomena.
. A theory will not become widely accepted unless its predictions:
. - Can stand up to thorough and repeated testing
. - Are confirmed by more observations
. - Are confirmed by other independent peer review researchers
. - Have been published in peer-reviewed literature
. Remains valid only if every new piece of information supports it, if not, the theory is disproved.
Fact
= Any observation that has been repeatedly confirmed and accepted as true; any scientific
. observation that has not (yet) been refuted.
= A basic statement established by experiment or observation. All facts are true under specific
. conditions.
, The relationship between a hypothesis and a theory – The scientific method
Observation
Questions asked
Hypothesis
Repeated observations
and/or experimenting
Form new hypothesis
Result
Reject hypothesis Accept hypothesis
Accumulation of
accepted hypotheses
Theory
Why evolution is a theory and not a hypothesis
Evolution is a theory, which explains the history of the life on earth, has been confirmed through
multiple lines of evidence, such as:
1. Fossil records
2. Vestigial structures
3. Homologous structures
4. Selective breeding
5. Comparative DNA
6. Observable change
Evidence for evolution
The scientific method is based on a system of making hypotheses and testing them through
rigorous collection of empirical evidence, peer review of data, statistical analysis, replication and
finally acceptance.
Real science is evidence based If a theory is proven wrong through good scientific evidence, the
scientific community will rethink the theory.
The theory of evolution has stood the test of generations of scientific research and testing and
evidence collection and gets stronger with each new set of data.
Hypothesis, Theory and Fact
Hypothesis
= An idea or possible explanation about something observed that suggests a question
= A tentative statement such as ‘if A happens then B must happen’ that can be tested by direct
. experiment or observation.
. i.e. hypothesis are testable ideas
Theory
= A general explanation of an important natural phenonium with a reliable body of evidence that
. has developed through extensive and repeated observations and experiments to support it.
= A set of statements or principles devised to explain a group of facts or phenomena.
. Most theories that are accepted by scientists have been repeatedly tested by experiments
. and can be used to make predictions about natural phenomena.
. A theory will not become widely accepted unless its predictions:
. - Can stand up to thorough and repeated testing
. - Are confirmed by more observations
. - Are confirmed by other independent peer review researchers
. - Have been published in peer-reviewed literature
. Remains valid only if every new piece of information supports it, if not, the theory is disproved.
Fact
= Any observation that has been repeatedly confirmed and accepted as true; any scientific
. observation that has not (yet) been refuted.
= A basic statement established by experiment or observation. All facts are true under specific
. conditions.
, The relationship between a hypothesis and a theory – The scientific method
Observation
Questions asked
Hypothesis
Repeated observations
and/or experimenting
Form new hypothesis
Result
Reject hypothesis Accept hypothesis
Accumulation of
accepted hypotheses
Theory
Why evolution is a theory and not a hypothesis
Evolution is a theory, which explains the history of the life on earth, has been confirmed through
multiple lines of evidence, such as:
1. Fossil records
2. Vestigial structures
3. Homologous structures
4. Selective breeding
5. Comparative DNA
6. Observable change
Evidence for evolution
The scientific method is based on a system of making hypotheses and testing them through
rigorous collection of empirical evidence, peer review of data, statistical analysis, replication and
finally acceptance.
Real science is evidence based If a theory is proven wrong through good scientific evidence, the
scientific community will rethink the theory.
The theory of evolution has stood the test of generations of scientific research and testing and
evidence collection and gets stronger with each new set of data.
