What term refers to a particular preference or point of view that is personal rather than scientific?

The correct answer is "Opinion" because it denotes a specific viewpoint or belief that is shaped by personal feelings, interpretations, or perspectives, rather than by empirical evidence or scientific reasoning. An opinion reflects an individual's subjective stance on issues, which may vary widely from person to person and is not universally verifiable.

In contrast, the other terms represent different concepts: a fact refers to an objective statement that can be proven true or false; a thesis is a statement or proposition that a writer puts forward as a premise to be maintained or proved, often seen in academic contexts; and an observation involves noting and recording phenomena as they occur, relying on empirical evidence rather than subjective interpretation. Thus, while facts, theses, and observations can be grounded in objective reality, an opinion emphasizes personal interpretation and belief.