Scientific observations

Scientists make observations to use for data in an experiment. It's not simply seeing, but also formulating ideas and paying attention to detail. The most vital questions are:

* Ask the who, what, where, when, and why - Who are the subjects participating in the study? What do they look like? What are they doing? How are they interacting with each other if at all? What's the environment like? Is the environment affecting their behavior?

Observations must also be able to answer the questions you ask. When tests need to be reproduced, observations need to be compared among different observers. Measurements involve comparing and recording different observations at different times by different people according to a standard shared by all participants. Counting how many standard units are comparable to the object. Measurement reduces observations to a lower recordable number. Two observations resulting in the same number are equal according to measurement.

There are two types of observations

1. Quantitative data - Observations requiring measurement of numbers.

2. Qualitative data - Descriptions of the observations you make.

There are several ways to record observations:

1. Data Tables

2. Lab illustrations

3. Description of a story

4. Digital camera

5. Notebooks

6. Spreadsheets

These are only a few ways of recording observations. There are various tools scientists use to do so.

Observations are essential in scientific hypotheses, experiments, and theories. They are the core components of the scientific method.