Functions of and Relationship between Scientific Theories and Laws. As noted earlier, almost
all participants endorsed a hierarchical view of the relationship between theories and laws
at the beginning of the study. At the conclusion of the course, about half of all participants (48%
of undergraduates and 56% of graduates) adopted the more adequate view that scientific theories
and laws were different kinds of scientific knowledge. These participants noted that whereas
scientific theories are inferred explanations for observable phenomena, scientific laws state,
identify, or describe relationships among such phenomena: