Scientific explanations rely on which of the following components?

The correct answer is based on the principle that scientific explanations are fundamentally grounded in empirical evidence and established understanding. This makes data, theory, and facts central components of the scientific method.

Data represents the observations and measurements that scientists gather through experiments and studies. These observations are essential for testing hypotheses and supporting or refuting various theories. Theories encompass well-substantiated explanations based on a body of evidence that provides a conceptual framework for understanding various phenomena. Facts are established truths that are supported by extensive amounts of data and experimentation.

In contrast, assumptions and beliefs, while they may serve as initial guiding thoughts, do not hold the same rigorous requirements for verification as scientific knowledge. Experiments and hypotheses are indeed crucial parts of conducting scientific inquiry, but the actual explanations that come about need to integrate data, established theories, and accepted facts in a coherent manner. Tradition and authority may influence perspectives but do not constitute a scientific basis for explanations, as they lack the objective, testable nature of scientific inquiry.