What term refers to an assumption or idea that is validated and tested through an experiment?

The term that refers to an assumption or idea that is validated and tested through an experiment is a hypothesis. In scientific research, a hypothesis is a specific, testable prediction about how variables interact. It is formulated based on initial observations or existing knowledge and serves as the basis for experimental design. The key aspect of a hypothesis is that it can be rigorously tested through experiments, allowing scientists to determine its validity based on empirical evidence.

In contrast, an experiment is the process used to test a hypothesis rather than the assumption itself. A theory, on the other hand, is a well-substantiated explanation of an aspect of the natural world that is based on a body of evidence, encompassing multiple tested hypotheses. Meanwhile, observation is the act of noting and recording something using the senses, which can lead to the formulation of a hypothesis but does not itself involve testing.

Therefore, the correct term for an assumption or idea that is specifically designed to be tested through experimentation is indeed a hypothesis.