What does the term 'hypotheses' refer to in scientific research?

The term 'hypotheses' in scientific research refers to informed guesses based on observations. Hypotheses are testable statements that are formulated to explain a phenomenon or predict an outcome. They emerge from existing knowledge, observations, and questions posed by researchers regarding specific aspects of the natural world. These provisional explanations guide scientific investigation; researchers design experiments and collect data to support or refute the hypotheses.

In contrast, final conclusions drawn from data represent the outcomes of research after analysis and are based on whether the evidence supports or contradicts the hypotheses. Descriptive statements about phenomena typically summarize observational findings without the predictive or explanatory nature of a hypothesis. Generalizations about populations might occur as results from wider studies but are generally based on established hypotheses rather than serving as the hypotheses themselves. Therefore, defining hypotheses as informed guesses highlights their foundational role in the scientific method, where they guide researchers in exploring and understanding biological and behavioral phenomena.