Based on the total time hypothesis, a cognitive psychologist predicted that if a group studies a list of words for 10 minutes and another group studies the same list for 5 minutes, then the group studying for longer will later recall more words than the group studying them less. When tested under these conditions, the group studying longer recalled more list words than the group studying them for less time, confirming the psychologist's prediction. What is the BEST analysis of these statements?

a) The prediction is supported by empirical evidence.
b) The prediction is disproved by empirical evidence.
c) The prediction is irrelevant to the study outcome.
d) The prediction requires further testing for validation.