Question

A student weighs a sample of sugar and records the measurement. He then writes down his observations on

the appearance of the sugar, describing it as a white, crystalline solid. Explain why both of these pieces of
information represent data that the student collected.

Answer 1

Because the student made use of scientific instruments in one case and his senses in the other.

Step-by-step explanation:

Scientific experiments involve making observations, which is key to the outcome of any experiment. According to the scientific method, collecting of data is one of the steps in fulfilling the scientific procedure. One way to collect data is by using scientific instruments to measure, which is then recorded. This is the case for the WEIGHT of the sugar the student recorded.

Another way to collect data is by making use of the senses e.g eyes, nose, skin etc. to observe and record the perceived information. Therefore, the pieces of information collected by the student represent DATA because he made use of his senses and scientific instruments.