Home > Working Scientifically > Observations

What are observations?

Scientific method is founded upon direct observation of the world around us.

Observations are made by using the senses or instruments which could be described as extensions of the senses.

An observation may

  • seem out of the ordinary
  • provoke curiosity
    - about how things work,
    - why they happen or
    - what causes them.

Observations provide the basic information leading to the formation of hypotheses, the first step in the scientific method.

Developing observational skills.

Practice is needed in order to make good observations.

Observations need to be:

  • relevant, ie,
 directed towards a clearly defined objective:
  • accurate; ie,
 related to a scale wherever possible
  • repeatable, ie
 as error free (precise) as possible.

Observations may be either:

Click to Factors influencing the quality of observations >>

Observations:
What are observations?
Factors Influencing the quality of observations

Working Scientifically
Observations
Observation Questions
Hypothesis Formation
Experimental Design
Aspects
Ethics
Types of Research
Data Analysis