The correct option is HYPOTHESIS.
An hypothesis refers to an explanation, that is proposed and which is temporarily accepted in order to investigate an observed phenomenon. Sometimes it is described as educated guess.
Scientific hypothesis is the first step that is always taken by scientists during the course of scientific investigation and it serves as the basis on which the scientific investigation is based. A hypothesis must be testable and the explanation offered abut it must be based on prior scientific knowledge.
Answer:
The correct answer would be a hypothesis.
A hypothesis is defined as the proposed or tentative explanation of any natural or physical event.
It is the first step of any research ans is usually made before any applicable research has taken place.
The hypothesis is usually testable, that is, it can be checked through scientific approaches, experiments, and data.