You put your finger on important part of a scientific investigation. How widely should we search for an explanation?
A couple of important assumptions are that
a) the rules (of physics, chemistry, ...) remain constant over a long time; and
b) that cause and effect follow in that order.
One useful approach is to examine the counter argument - to put the proposition in the reverse. In math, this is often done by the reducto ad absurdum method - to show that the counter assumption leads by logic to an absurd conclusion.
Always an early effort is to determine that the observation is correct, and that it may be observed repeatably.
Hope that helps.
What is the scientific term for a sensible explanation to a problem
A(n) Hypothesis is a possible answer to a scientific problem.
A stated possible explanation in scientific inquiry is called a hypothesis. It is a proposed explanation for a phenomenon or a scientific question that can be tested through experimental or observational methods.
hypothesis
A(n) Hypothesis is a possible answer to a scientific problem.
You write down the facts/observation you have and what those. You then come up with an possible explanation for what the facts/observations tell you . Following that you describe what you will do to test the validity of your explanation.
"hypothesis"
A theory.
A hypotheses is a possible answer to a scientific question or explanation for a set of observations.
A theory.
an hypothesis
false is a hypothesis