Foundational terminology
Completion requirements
Before we go further, let us make sure we share a vocabulary. Three terms are used throughout this course:
- Hypothesis. A testable statement about how something works.
- Evidence. Observations that support or challenge a hypothesis.
- Inference. A reasoned conclusion drawn from evidence.
Keep these distinct in your mind. Conflating them is a common source of errors.
Last modified: Monday, 13 April 2026, 3:14 PM