Final answer:
Observations in science are made using the senses and systematically gathered either as qualitative or quantitative data. These observations can lead to a hypothesis, which is then tested through controlled experiments, providing empirical evidence key to the scientific process.
Step-by-step explanation:
An observation is made using one or more of the five senses and involves actively acquiring information from a primary source. When scientists make observations, they are gathering data about the world around them, which can be either qualitative, describing properties without using numbers, or quantitative, involving measurements that provide numerical data. For example, when a scientist observes frogs with abnormal physical features at a pond, as in the case of frogs with extra limbs or eyes, these are direct physical observations.
Observations are critical in the scientific process as they can lead to the formation of a hypothesis. A hypothesis is a tentative explanation for the observations that can be tested through experiments. Experiments are designed to be systematic and are preferably conducted under controlled conditions where only a single variable is changed at a time. This way, a scientist can determine whether the original hypothesis holds. For instance, measuring the temperature before and after a change in a system provides quantitative observations that can be used to support or refute a hypothesis.
Furthermore, the observations collected are considered empirical data, grounded in objective and tangible evidence that can be consistently observed, irrespective of who is observing. The collection of this data is foundational in scientific investigation and is crucial for testing hypotheses.