What characterizes a hypothesis?

A hypothesis is best characterized as a testable explanation for an observable phenomenon. This means that a hypothesis proposes a potential explanation or prediction that can be investigated through observation and experimentation. It serves as a starting point for scientific inquiry, guiding the research process by providing a focus for data collection and analysis.

In the scientific method, researchers formulate hypotheses based on existing knowledge or observations that can then be tested to determine their validity. This process of testing is fundamental because it allows for the verification or falsification of the hypothesis through empirical evidence. If a hypothesis consistently withstands scrutiny and testing, it may contribute to the development of a broader theory, but it never reaches the status of being universally correct or proven, as scientific understanding is always open to revision with new evidence.

The other options misrepresent the nature of a hypothesis; it is not always correct, nor is it a proven theory, nor is it a visual representation. A hypothesis requires testing to validate its claims, emphasizing its role in the scientific process of exploration and discovery.