A hypothesis is an educated guess that attempts to explain an observation or answer a question.[1] It is then tested with experiments, and if it makes falsifiable claims and is supported by evidence, is called a theory. Thus, Gravity, Quantum Mechanics, Germ Theory, and Evolution are all referred to as theories. A hypothesis is typically tested against the null hypothesis, a default position that typically holds that something is not present, that there is no effect, or that there is no difference between treatment and control.[2]
Hypothesis is also an important dynamic in biblical textual criticism. Compare Augustinian hypothesis, Marcan priority and Historical-critical method (Higher criticism)