Final answer:
In scientific investigation, the term "falsifiable" means that a hypothesis can be proven false through experiments or observations. A falsifiable hypothesis is essential for scientific methodology because it allows for hypotheses to be tested and validated or disproven, thereby contributing to the body of scientific knowledge.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of a scientific investigation, "falsifiable" refers to the characteristic of a scientific hypothesis that allows it to be tested and potentially proven false based on evidence. This means that a hypothesis is falsifiable if there exists some experimental or observational result that could show the hypothesis to not be true. A falsifiable hypothesis is crucial for scientific progress, as it ensures that hypotheses can be rigorously tested. For example, the hypothesis "Increasing the amount of sunlight a plant receives will increase its growth" is falsifiable because it is possible to perform experiments that could contradict this statement.
An unfalsifiable hypothesis, on the other hand, cannot be tested or shown to be false, and therefore does not meet the criteria of scientific inquiry. For instance, the statement "Botticelli's Birth of Venus is beautiful" is a subjective claim that is not testable and therefore not falsifiable. Science relies on hypotheses that can be supported or challenged through controlled experimentation, where variables are manipulated and outcomes are measured. This process of testing and potentially falsifying hypotheses helps generate reliable knowledge about the natural world.