An assumption taken to be true for the purpose of argument or investigation.
Used loosely, a tentative conjecture explaining an observation, phenomenon or scientific problem that can be tested by further observation, investigation and/or experimentation. As a scientific term of art, see the attached quotation. Compare to theory, and quotation given there.
The antecedent of a conditional statement.
A written record, history, or collection of evidence.
Records left by a person or organization in the course of activities.
Physical evidence of something that occurred in the past.