Read the sentence.
A tentative explanation for an observation or phenomenon that can be tested by further investigation or experimentation is defined as a _[blank]_.
Which most accurately completes the sentence?
Answer: Hypothesis
To find the answer, we need to understand the sentence and identify the missing word. The sentence is defining a term that describes a tentative explanation for an observation or phenomenon. This explanation is something that can be tested through further investigation or experimentation. The missing word is the term being defined in this sentence.
From my knowledge, the term that accurately fits this definition is "hypothesis." A hypothesis is a proposed explanation for an observed phenomenon or a prediction of what will happen in an experiment. It is a key component of the scientific method and is used to guide further investigation or experimentation. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is "hypothesis."