In the scientific method, what is the name for a statement such as the following? "The researchers anticipate that more of the variation in body weight will be explained by diet than physical activity."

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The statement is a prediction or educated guess about the relationship between two variables, and it is testable through experimentation. This is the definition of a hypothesis in the scientific method. Option A is incorrect because a theory requires extensive testing and evidence, while this is just an initial prediction. Option B is incorrect because the placebo effect refers to the phenomenon of a patient feeling better simply because they believe they are receiving a treatment, which is not relevant in this context. Option D is incorrect because correlation refers to the degree of relationship between two variables, whereas the statement is about which variable will have a stronger effect on the other.

In the Scientific Method, What Is the Name for a Statement