magnifying glass Observation: The First Step in the Scientific Method

When you examine something carefully you are making observations. Good observers pay careful attention to details. When people observe things they often wonder why. Why is it like this? Why does it change? Scientists work to answer many question. Scientists make observations as the first step to the scientific method.


- Qualitative data are descriptions that do not have numbers.

The classroom's windows faced the setting sun. The classroom was so dark that the lights were left on all the time. - is qualitative data.

- Quantitative data are obtained by measuring and are usually numeric. Scientists use instruments (tools) to obtain numbers based data.

Daylighting provided 50 foot-candles of light in each classroom during the day. 100 days during the school year it was not necessary to turn on the electric lights at all. Daylighting in lieu of using electric lights saved the district $75,000 in the first year. is quantitative data.

It is fun to be a science observer. This is especially true when you come across an unexpected find.

Practice observing by looking at this photo.
Jay and Jen walked along the forest trail talking about events at school. They barely noted the trees, wildflowers or birds they passed. When they came across this formation, their attention was captured.

path through rocks


pencil right1. Write your observations. Note beside each one whether it is quantitative or qualitative.



2. Imagine - If you were standing in the scene:

What instruments should you use to measure and document what you are observing?


3. Fire up your imagination or your curiosity.
Write a hypothesis
about what you have observed.
(What is a hypothesis?)


4. Name a place in your community where you could directly observe an interesting geologic feature.



What natural forces could change what you see?


Journey further:

About Units of Measurement - IB Biology | Geology by Frank H. T. Rhodes, Raymond Perlman

Observing with the Eyes of a Geologist | Geology Careers Exploring the Possibilities

Geology - Windows to the Universe | Careers in Geoscience

Ricketts Glen State Park Glens Natural Area | Rock Classification

Earth Layers Internet activity | The Old Man in the Mountain

Rock and Mineral Internet Hunt | Observation Skills Builders




Geology of Pennsylvania | Water and Air - NASA | Bluebirds Project | Rocks for Kids | Rockhounds

meter ruler

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Posted by Cynthia J. O'Hora 5/2009, released for noncommercial use by nonprofit organizations

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Pennsylvania Academic Standards - The Nature of Science
Processes, Procedures and Tools of Scientific Investigations

National Science Education Standards:

