Since I am currently lecturing concerning the use of these terms, I would be remiss if I did not say a little something.......

The use of the word theory in science is limited to models and concepts that are well established and encompasses a group of related hypotheses that explain a group of phenomena.

A hypothesis is a tentative, untested explanation for a given phenomenon.

In this case, you are testing a(n) hypothesis, not a theory.


Don't want to be a dink, but in my quest to improve scientific literacy.......