Scientific Theory — Definition & Examples

What Is a Theory in Science?

Do you know what the word theory means in the scientific world?

No?

Then keep reading to learn. (If you said yes, then why are you still reading this?)

Just remember: theories cannot be proven right, but they can be disproven. They are only ever "correct" to the extent of our current knowledge.

Not too bad, right? Now, let's test your understanding.

Is It the Same as a Hypothesis?

Here's an example of how someone's "theory" is not the same as a true scientific theory:

Theories are explanations based on repeated experiments and observations. This kid's hypothesis about aliens taking his cows is not a theory because it's not based on facts or observations.

Gradualism and punctuated equilibrium are examples of theories of evolution that attempt to model the rate of speciation. Another example of a theory is Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection:

Remember: make sure you don't get theory confused with hypothesis.

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Scientists often form many hypotheses to explain how a phenomenon occurs. They test, retest, and refine these hypotheses until they gather enough evidence supporting them to form a theory. This process is called the scientific method.

A theory is a widely accepted scientific explanation of how and why something occurs. It is backed by extensive data, but it is not considered to be the absolute truth. In fact, theories often evolve over time as more data accumulates. You may have heard of one called the Big Bang theory, which attempts to describe how the universe formed.

Theories try to answer the question "Why?" They try to find out why things happen based on scientific observations and experimentation. This is very different from a scientific law, which predicts what is going to happen based on observations and experiments.

One of the most important theories in modern biology is Cell Theory. Cell Theory credits cells as the basic structural unit of all living things, states that all cells come from other cells, and says that all living things are made of at least one cell.

Also very important in the study of biology is the Theory of Natural Selection and the germ theory of disease.

(Video) Theory vs. Scientific Theory - Bite Sci-zed

by Alex Dainis

A scientific theory is defined as an explanation for some aspect of the natural world which has been repeatedly tested through a series of observations, hypotheses, and experiments.

In this video, you will learn about four traits that make scientific theories special and also what separates them from facts.