What kind of science explains nature?

• A. Discovery based science
• B. Descriptive science
• C. Hypothesis driven science
• D. Applied science

Answer: (C)

Hypothesis-driven science explains nature by testing predictions derived from questions about how things work. You start with a question, propose a testable hypothesis, and design experiments or observations to test the predictions. When the results align with the predictions, you gain support for a mechanism that explains the phenomenon; if results don’t, you revise the idea. This deliberate testing of cause-and-effect relationships turns observations into explanations of natural processes. Descriptive or discovery-based science focuses on describing what is observed and identifying patterns without necessarily testing underlying mechanisms. Applied science aims to use knowledge to solve practical problems rather than to explain natural processes. Because it emphasizes forming and testing predictions to reveal causal mechanisms, hypothesis-driven science best explains nature.