Final answer:
Conducting a survey would require a scientist to make observations as it involves observing and collecting data as part of an observational study, which is a key step in the scientific method.
Step-by-step explanation:
Among the activities listed, conducting a survey would require a scientist to make some observations. A survey can be part of an observational study where the scientist observes and collects data from subjects without influencing the outcomes. Making observations is often the first step in the scientific method, which involves observing natural phenomena, formulating a hypothesis based on those observations, and then designing and performing experiments to test the validity of the hypothesis.
In comparison to the other options, analyzing historical texts typically involves the study of history or literature, writing a computer program falls under computer science and engineering, and developing a hypothesis is a theoretical process that might follow after making observations rather than requiring them. Hence, conducting a survey is the activity that aligns with the process of making observations as part of scientific inquiry.