G4- How are Theories Constructed? High -03

A theory attempts to put the collection of facts gained by the scientific community together within a reasoned argument of why these occurrences happen. It is an attempt to explain such questions like why do objects fall to Earth and why do planets have an attractive force towards each other? What is the scientific principle at the root of this attractive force? In other words, what makes this all work? These are all jobs of a theory to explain these why’s and how’s.

A theory cannot by its very nature come before facts. Evidence, or facts, must be in place before a theory can be constructed. A theory is NEVER a guess or a hunch. It is an attempt to explain the results of countless investigations.

Most misconceptions about theories stem from the general use of the term ‘theory’. People who aren’t scientists use the word in a way that actually contrasts with the scientific definition. The use of the term ‘theory’ and the meaning it is given depends on the audience. To a scientist, it has one meaning. To a member of the general public, it means something quite different.

To a scientist, it means to explain how or why something happens. The explanation is always based on evidence from investigations. To the general public, this same statement may mean a personal guess. These language differences might seem harmless, but to truly understand science, we must speak the same language.