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Scientific theory
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===Essential criteria=== {{more citations needed|date=October 2015}} For any theory to be accepted within most academia there is usually one simple criterion. The essential criterion is that the theory must be observable and repeatable. The aforementioned criterion is essential to prevent fraud and perpetuate science itself. [[Image:Plates tect2 en.svg|thumb|300px|The tectonic plates of the world were mapped in the second half of the 20th century. Plate tectonic theory successfully explains numerous observations about the Earth, including the distribution of earthquakes, mountains, continents, and oceans.]] The defining characteristic of all scientific knowledge, including theories, is the ability to make [[falsifiable]] or testable [[Predictive power|predictions]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=White |first=Theresa L. |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1305844348 |title=Research Methods |publisher=Cengage |others=Donald H. McBurney |year=2012 |isbn=978-1-285-40167-6 |edition=9th |location=Mason, OH |pages=21 |oclc=1305844348}}</ref> The relevance and specificity of those predictions determine how potentially useful the theory is. A would-be theory that makes no observable predictions is not a scientific theory at all. Predictions not sufficiently specific to be tested are similarly not useful. In both cases, the term "theory" is not applicable. A body of descriptions of [[knowledge]] can be called a theory if it fulfills the following criteria: * It makes [[Falsifiability|falsifiable]] predictions with consistent accuracy across a broad area of scientific inquiry (such as [[mechanics]]). * It is well-supported by many independent strands of evidence, rather than a single foundation. * It is consistent with preexisting experimental results and at least as accurate in its predictions as are any preexisting theories. These qualities are certainly true of such established theories as [[special relativity|special]] and [[general relativity]], [[quantum mechanics]], [[plate tectonics]], the [[modern synthesis (20th century)|modern evolutionary synthesis]], etc.
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