answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

A hunch is unsubstantiated. Scientific theory is theory in which an idea or even a hunch has been thouroughly tested- thru a hypothesis, testing the hypothesis, and results based on the scientific method. It is supported by other experiments and generally accepted by professionals in the field

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: What is the difference between a scientific theory and a hunch?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about General Science

Is it true that any hunch you have is a good as a scientific theory?

a theorem rather, it has to be proven to become an accepted theory.


How do you define theory?

In the general, every day sense of the word a theory is a supposition, a hunch or a speculation. It is unproven.A Scientific Theory is completely different from an every day theory. A scientific theory summarizes a hypothesis that has been supported with repeated testing and with facts that can be observed and/or measured. With that support a hypothesis moves to the next step in the scientific method and becomes accepted as a valid explanation of a phenomenon. Facts are the framework for the scientific method and a Scientific Theory is supported by facts.


Why are scientific theories said to be just a theory?

People tend to say that scientific theories are "just" a theory because of a confusion between the common usage of "theory" and the scientific definition. (In everyday speech people often use the word "theory" in the sense of a "hunch" or "vague idea". This is not what the word means in a scientific context). A scientific theory is deduced from observations and is the simplest way of describing natural phenomena. It is testable, observable, predictable, and falsifiable. Scientific theories are not the same thing as hypotheses, which are explanations that haven't been demonstrated or verified. A scientific theory has evidence to back it up. The common usage of 'theory' suggests an explanation that someone hasn't proven, or isn't able to prove. It doesn't imply evidence that has been tested; it doesn't imply predictability. When someone hears, for example, "Big Bang theory" or "the theory of evolution", they may hear the word 'theory' and associate those scientific theories with someone's opinion or suggestion. In reality, these theories are the best scientific explanations for a myriad of phenomena across multiple scientific definitions. In science, "just a theory" is a very good place to be.


What do you mean by 'hunch' in hypothesis?

A hunch is a feeling not based on anything factual. To have a hunch means to have "a gut feeling" based on intuition or past experiences. Using a hunch, you make a guess about why something is happening, although the answer may not always be correct.A hypothesis could be based on a hunch but the scientist doing this would then TEST the hypothesis using the scientific method to prove or disprove its validity.


What is a science theory?

In the fields of science a theory is the framework of proven or demonstrative facts. It is never "just a hunch" or hypotheses, which are unproven.A theory is an explanation. It summarizes a hypothesis based on experiments and tests that have been performed.Theory" is a Jekyll-and-Hyde term that means different things depending on the context and who is using it. While in everyday speech anything that attempts to provide an explanation for a cause can be dubbed a "theory", a scientific theory has a much more specific meaning.

Related questions

Is it true any hunch you have is a good as a scientific theory?

a theorem rather, it has to be proven to become an accepted theory.


Is it true that any hunch you have is a good as a scientific theory?

a theorem rather, it has to be proven to become an accepted theory.


How do you define theory?

In the general, every day sense of the word a theory is a supposition, a hunch or a speculation. It is unproven.A Scientific Theory is completely different from an every day theory. A scientific theory summarizes a hypothesis that has been supported with repeated testing and with facts that can be observed and/or measured. With that support a hypothesis moves to the next step in the scientific method and becomes accepted as a valid explanation of a phenomenon. Facts are the framework for the scientific method and a Scientific Theory is supported by facts.


Why are scientific theories said to be just a theory?

People tend to say that scientific theories are "just" a theory because of a confusion between the common usage of "theory" and the scientific definition. (In everyday speech people often use the word "theory" in the sense of a "hunch" or "vague idea". This is not what the word means in a scientific context). A scientific theory is deduced from observations and is the simplest way of describing natural phenomena. It is testable, observable, predictable, and falsifiable. Scientific theories are not the same thing as hypotheses, which are explanations that haven't been demonstrated or verified. A scientific theory has evidence to back it up. The common usage of 'theory' suggests an explanation that someone hasn't proven, or isn't able to prove. It doesn't imply evidence that has been tested; it doesn't imply predictability. When someone hears, for example, "Big Bang theory" or "the theory of evolution", they may hear the word 'theory' and associate those scientific theories with someone's opinion or suggestion. In reality, these theories are the best scientific explanations for a myriad of phenomena across multiple scientific definitions. In science, "just a theory" is a very good place to be.


What are the two characteristics of an acceptable theory?

An "acceptable theory" is both 1. unproven in the complete sense of the word and yet- 2. yeilds the same results time after time Do not confuse this word with hypothesis or hunch when speaking science. "I have a theory that Jennifer Aniston will remarry" is not a valid sentence! You have a hunch, but not a theory.


What do you mean by 'hunch' in hypothesis?

A hunch is a feeling not based on anything factual. To have a hunch means to have "a gut feeling" based on intuition or past experiences. Using a hunch, you make a guess about why something is happening, although the answer may not always be correct.A hypothesis could be based on a hunch but the scientist doing this would then TEST the hypothesis using the scientific method to prove or disprove its validity.


What is something has a lot of support and is more just a hunch?

A theory has a lot of supporting information behind it and is much more than a hunch. However it is not a fact. As more information becomes known, the theory can either become a fact or it may be shown to be wrong.


What does it mean when it states that evolution is just a theory?

Evolution is a fact. The theory of evolution by natural selection is what you are trying to talk about. When someone says " evolution is just a theory " they are using the vulgar, common sense of the word theory. They mean guess, hunch and the like. The theory of evolution by natural selection is in the scientific sense of the word theory, which means a body of explanatory work supported by myriad lines of converging evidence that has been tested rigouusly and replicated often. Any good dictionary uses this scientific meaning of theory as the primary meaning of the word.


Do you think the evolution of dogs and humans are being realed as a theory?

Dogs came from the wolf and were domesticated at first as working dogs (still used to this day) and then pets for the family. In scientific context, a theory is: ''Some scientific explanations are so well established that no new evidence is likely to alter them. The explanation becomes a scientific theory. In everyday language a theory means a hunch or speculation. Not so in science. In science, the word theory refers to a comprehensive explanation of an important feature of nature that is supported by many facts gathered over time. Theories also allow scientists to make predictions about as yet unobserved phenomena''


What is a science theory?

In the fields of science a theory is the framework of proven or demonstrative facts. It is never "just a hunch" or hypotheses, which are unproven.A theory is an explanation. It summarizes a hypothesis based on experiments and tests that have been performed.Theory" is a Jekyll-and-Hyde term that means different things depending on the context and who is using it. While in everyday speech anything that attempts to provide an explanation for a cause can be dubbed a "theory", a scientific theory has a much more specific meaning.


Do all atheists believe that the theory of evolution is correct?

Yes. Theory as in science is a tool to demonstrate the facts of science. A scientific theory is not a hunch, but hypotheses that come to demonstrable testing and peer review. A scientific Theory is fact.


What is the plural of hunch?

The plural of hunch is hunches.