A hypothesis is a specific, testable statement or prediction about the relationship between variables that can be investigated through experimentation or observation. Hypotheses are typically formulated at the beginning of a scientific investigation and serve as a foundation for collecting evidence and conducting statistical tests. In contrast, a theory is a well-established, broad explanation that unifies a range of observations and experimental results. Theories are developed after extensive research, supported by a significant body of evidence, and are generally accepted by the scientific community as valid explanations for certain phenomena. While hypotheses are starting points for investigation, theories represent the culmination of repeated testing and validation of many related hypotheses over time.
