Which of the following is true about hypotheses?

Hypotheses serve as foundational components of scientific inquiry, and one key characteristic they possess is that they must be testable statements. This means that for a hypothesis to be scientifically valid, it has to be formulated in a way that allows it to be tested through observation or experimentation. A testable hypothesis can be supported or refuted by empirical evidence, which is critical because the scientific method relies on the ability to verify claims through experimentation and data collection.

In contrast, other statements regarding hypotheses can overlook essential characteristics of scientific reasoning. For example, a hypothesis is not always proven true; it may be supported or refuted based on evidence. Additionally, hypotheses are not limited to qualitative data, and they often can include quantitative measurements as well. Finally, a hypothesis inherently involves predictions about relationships between variables, so the assertion that they do not involve variable prediction is inaccurate. This aspect of variable prediction is crucial, as scientists use hypotheses to propose explanations and expectations about how different factors might interact or affect one another.