Standard hypothesis testing in statistics makes the same recognition in controlling type 1 or a error, and it is partly for this reason that it is easy to confuse good statistical null hypotheses with good scientific hypotheses. The former do not need to make interesting predictions. This story should show us that though beetles may profitably be collected, observations may not. Popper treats thoroughly both deduction from theory and testing of individual and alternative hypotheses, but is silent on where predictions arise. He also convinces me that crucial experiments are myths that often are created by revision of history.
Science is a three-cornered fight among rival theories and observations.
Unlike Kuhn's analysis, Lakatos' cascades admirably down to more minor hypotheses and gives effective guidance regarding what an ordinary scientist can plan to accomplish from day to day. Lakatos applies a balance to prediction and testing, but in my opinion rightly emphasizes the overarching value of interesting, new predictions. References Chamberlin, T.C. 1897. The method of multiple working hypotheses. Kuhn, T.S. 1970.