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After the data are analyzed and written down, the scientist checks the results against the hypothesis; if the results have proven the hypothesis to be wrong, then it must be discarded.  Even if the hypothesis is not correct, conclusions can still be made and significant knowledge gained.  If the hypothesis is indicated to be correct, then the results are published and sent to other scientists within the field in question.

After the data are analyzed and written down, the scientist checks the results against the hypothesis; if the results have proven the hypothesis to be wrong, then it must be discarded.  Even if the hypothesis is not correct, conclusions can still be made and significant knowledge gained.  If the hypothesis is indicated to be correct, then the results are published and sent to other scientists within the field in question.

Scientists must be able to take such published data and repeat the experiment.  This not only confirms the validity of the original hypothesis, but advances it to the level of a “[[theory]]”, which in science means an interpretation or explanation that is well-supported by evidence which is testable and tested.  A theory can also be falsified by evidence as well.  The level of a “fact” or “law” is simply that which is empirical, and cannot be proven wrong.

Scientists must be able to take such published data and repeat the experiment.  This not only confirms the validity of the original hypothesis, but advances it to the level of a “[[theory]]”, which in science means an interpretation or explanation that is well-supported by evidence which is testable and tested.  A theory can also be falsified by evidence as well.   

:A scientific theory summarizes a hypothesis or group of hypotheses that have been supported with repeated testing. A theory is valid as long as there is no evidence to dispute it. Therefore, theories can be disproven. Basically, if evidence accumulates to support a hypothesis, then the hypothesis can become accepted as a good explanation of a phenomenon. One definition of a theory is to say it's an accepted hypothesis. [http://chemistry.about.com/od/chemistry101/a/lawtheory.htm]

:A scientific theory summarizes a hypothesis or group of hypotheses that have been supported with repeated testing. A theory is valid as long as there is no evidence to dispute it. Therefore, theories can be disproven. Basically, if evidence accumulates to support a hypothesis, then the hypothesis can become accepted as a good explanation of a phenomenon. One definition of a theory is to say it's an accepted hypothesis. [http://chemistry.about.com/od/chemistry101/a/lawtheory.htm]