Final answer:
Evolution by natural selection can be tested both experimentally and observationally. It is a major mechanism of evolution, supported by extensive scientific evidence across various fields, including mathematics. Misinterpretations often occur when the scientific meaning of 'theory' is confused with its general use.
Step-by-step explanation:
Evolution by natural selection can be tested experimentally and observationally. As a major mechanism of evolution, natural selection operates on the phenotypic variations in populations, and these variations can lead to differential reproductive success. Over time, this can result in significant changes in the gene frequencies of a population. Furthermore, evolutionary change is not only driven by natural selection but also by random processes, and it is supported by substantive scientific evidence from a multitude of disciplines, including mathematics, which can be used to qualitatively and quantitatively investigate the role of natural selection in evolution.
The theory of evolution by natural selection has historically been met with skepticism but is now widely supported within the scientific community. Misconceptions arise when the term 'theory' in science is conflated with its vernacular usage; however, scientific theories, such as evolution, are grounded in extensive empirical evidence and undergo rigorous testing, far beyond the layperson's concept of a 'theory.'
Thus, despite the challenges evolution faces in terms of public understanding, its status as a scientific theory is not merely a provisional hypothesis but a well-established framework that explains a wide range of natural phenomena, including the diversity of life and its adaptations to the environment.