Answer:a. a hypothesis
Step-by-step explanation:
Hypothesis in simple terms a hypothesis is an idea you can test.
If you have a prediction about a particular situation or variables and you formulate a statement which you can use to taste that idea or prediction this is what we call a hypothesis. Scientists or researchers can develop a theory concerning a particular situation with prediction that they can further put into experiments. The aim is to find the truth about this prediction.
For example, Stacey makes a prediction that because children are generally more impulsive than adults, they will be more likely than adults to scream when frustrated by a researcher in a laboratory setting. Stacey can do a further investigation on this prediction so that she can find the truth which she can then use to either reject or accept this hypothesis.