A Claim , in academic terms, is something that is asserted to be true or valid, and which must be based on factual evidence.
Academics critically analyse and evaluate the evidence upon which claims are based.
Academic writing is based around argument, which includes the logic structure used to hold a text together. Opinion , in academic terms, is the judgement or viewpoint reached after analysing, assessing and evaluating arguments, claims and evidence. A hypothesis gives the basis for further tests to be carried out. The results may or may not support the hypothesis. A hypothesis can also be used as the basis for further reasoning.