Definition of scientific theory Scientific theory
We found 3 definitions of scientific theory from 3 different sources.
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What does scientific theory mean?
WordNet
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| scientific theory - a theory that explains scientific observations; "scientific theories must be falsifiable" | ||
| theory a belief that can guide behavior; "the architect has a theory that more is less"; "they killed him on the theory that dead men tell no tales" | ||
| scientific discipline, science a particular branch of scientific knowledge; "the science of genetics" | ||
| big-bang theory, big bang theory (cosmology) the theory that the universe originated sometime between 10 billion and 20 billion years ago from the cataclysmic explosion of a small volume of matter at extremely high density and temperature | ||
| nebular hypothesis (cosmology) the theory that the solar system evolved from a hot gaseous nebula | ||
| planetesimal hypothesis (cosmology) the theory that the solar system was formed by the gravitational accumulation of planetesimals | ||
| continuous creation theory, steady state theory (cosmology) the theory that the universe maintains a constant average density with matter created to fill the void left by galaxies that are receding from each other; "the steady state theory has been abandoned in favor of the big bang theory" | ||
| gravitational theory, newton's theory of gravitation, theory of gravitation, theory of gravity (physics) the theory that any two particles of matter attract one another with a force directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them | ||
| organicism theory that the total organization of an organism rather than the functioning of individual organs is the determinant of life processes | ||
| atomic theory a theory of the structure of the atom | ||
| cell doctrine, cell theory (biology) the theory that cells form the fundamental structural and functional units of all living organisms; proposed in 1838 by Matthias Schleiden and by Theodor Schwann | ||
| undulatory theory, wave theory, wave theory of light (physics) the theory that light is transmitted as waves | ||
| corpuscular theory, corpuscular theory of light (physics) the theory that light is transmitted as a stream of particles | ||
| kinetic theory, kinetic theory of gases (physics) a theory that gases consist of small particles in random motion | ||
| einstein's theory of relativity, relativity theory, theory of relativity, relativity the quality of being relative and having significance only in relation to something else | ||
| supersymmetry (physics) a theory that tries to link the four fundamental forces; "according to supersymmetry each force emerged separately during the big bang" | ||
| quantum theory (physics) a physical theory that certain properties occur only in discrete amounts (quanta) | ||
| indeterminacy principle, uncertainty principle (quantum theory) the theory that it is impossible to measure both energy and time (or position and momentum) completely accurately at the same time | ||
| germ theory (medicine) the theory that all contagious diseases are caused by microorganisms | ||
| information theory (computer science) a statistical theory dealing with the limits and efficiency of information processing | ||
| arrhenius theory of dissociation, theory of dissociation, theory of electrolytic dissociation (chemistry) theory that describes aqueous solutions in terms of acids (which dissociate to give hydrogen ions) and bases (which dissociate to give hydroxyl ions); the product of an acid and a base is a salt and water | ||
| evolutionism, theory of evolution, theory of organic evolution (biology) a scientific theory of the origin of species of plants and animals | ||
| ostwald's theory of indicators, theory of indicators (chemistry) the theory that all indicators are either weak acids or weak bases in which the color of the ionized form is different from the color before dissociation | ||
| theory of inheritance (biology) a theory of how characteristics of one generation are derived from earlier generations | ||
| association theory, associationism (psychology) a theory that association is the basic principle of mental activity | ||
| atomism (chemistry) any theory in which all matter is composed of tiny discrete finite indivisible indestructible particles; "the ancient Greek philosophers Democritus and Epicurus held atomic theories of the universe" | ||
| functionalism any doctrine that stresses utility or purpose | ||
| configurationism, gestalt psychology (psychology) a theory of psychology that emphasizes the importance of configurational properties | ||
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OmegaWiki DictionaryOmegaWiki Dictionary Ω
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scientific theory
A well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world that is acquired through the scientific method and repeatedly tested and confirmed through observation and experimentation.
Wikipedia 
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A scientific theory is a law of science that has been tested carefully many times by many people. If anyone finds a case where a scientific theory is false, then that theory is either changed or thrown out.
An example of a scientific theory that underwent many changes is the germ theory of disease. In ancient times, people believed that diseases were caused by the gods, or by curses, or by improper behavior. Germs were unknown, because germs are too small to see. With the invention of the microscope, germs were discovered, and the germ theory of disease was proposed. Thanks to the germ theory of disease, many diseases can now be cured. However, the germ theory of disease had to be modified, because some diseases are not caused by germs. The flu and scurvy are examples of diseases that are not caused by germs. Scientists modified the germ theory of disease, so that today we would state that theory as "Some diseases are caused by germs."
To be a scientific theory, a law must be tested a large number of times, by many different scientists in many different places, and must pass the test every time. It must be stated exactly, often using mathematics. And it must fit in with all of the other scientific theories. Science has many branches. Physics, chemistry, biology, geology, and astronomy are some of the major branches of science. A scientific theory in one branch of science must hold true in all of the other branches of science. For example, the atomic theory of matter, that all
