Scientific theory

A theory is an abstract or systematic explanation of some phenomenon or subject matter.^{[Citation Needed]} It is more substantial than a conjecture or hypothesis, but may not be verified as factual.^{[Citation Needed]}

The term theory is often used outside of science, such as in music theory, number theory, or Marxist theory.

Scientific Theory

A scientific theory is a model or framework for describing the behavior of a related set of natural or social phenomena. A theory is a plausible or consistent explanation; it becomes scientific when it is subjected to empirical scrutiny.^{[Citation Needed]} A Scientific Theory must be falsifiable, meaning that there must be some way to do observations that might disprove the theory.

A scientific theory does not necessarily have to have strong experimental support or accepted by the scientific community.^{[Citation Needed]} Scientists often refer to untested theories and competing theories.^{[Citation Needed]} Theories can be extremely well-confirmed, such as conservation of energy, or wildly speculative, such as String Theory.

The Theory of Evolution includes microevolution (change in allele frequency over time), which is well-confirmed, and the idea that there existed a universal common ancestor for all life on Earth, which remains controversial.^{[Citation Needed]}