Title: Observation - Wikipedia
Headings: Observation
Observation
Contents
Science
Formulate a hypothesis that tentatively answers the question
Paradoxes
Biases
Confirmation bias
Processing bias
Philosophy
See also
References

Content: Observations can be qualitative, that is, only the absence or presence of a property is noted, or quantitative if a numerical value is attached to the observed phenomenon by counting or measuring . Contents
1 Science
2 Formulate a hypothesis that tentatively answers the question
3 Paradoxes
4 Biases
4.1 Confirmation bias
4.2 Processing bias
5 Philosophy
6 See also
7 References
Science
The scientific method requires observations of natural phenomena to formulate and test hypotheses. It consists of the following steps: Ask a question about a natural phenomenon
Make observations of the phenomenon
Formulate a hypothesis that tentatively answers the question
Predict logical, observable consequences of the hypothesis that have not yet been investigated
Test the hypothesis' predictions by an experiment , observational study , field study , or simulation
Draw a conclusion from data gathered in the experiment, or revise the hypothesis or form a new one and repeat the process
Write a descriptive method of observation and the results or conclusions reached
Have peers with experience researching the same phenomenon evaluate the results
Observations play a role in the second and fifth steps of the scientific method. However, the need for reproducibility requires that observations by different observers can be comparable. Human sense impressions are subjective and qualitative, making them difficult to record or compare. The use of measurement developed to allow recording and comparison of observations made at different times and places, by different people. Measurement consists of using observation to compare the phenomenon being observed to a standard unit. The standard unit can be an artifact, process, or definition which can be duplicated or shared by all observers. In measurement the number of standard units which is equal to the observation is counted.