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The difference between an observation and a theory might best be understood by looking at what each one is. In general, an observation establishes a fact, and when considering that fact, the question "why" (or "how") could be asked. Something happened (the observation). Why (how) did that happen? (It's not obvious.) Another observation to see if the event occurs in the same way. More observations under different conditions. Experiments with a factor or factors isolated to observe the effects of the inclusion or exclusion of something or some things that may have an effect on the way that the "something that happens" happens. The original question is still being asked: why (how) did that happen? (A lot of other questions may very well be arising along the way. That happens, too. A lot.) At a point when some volume of data is collected, a theory is presented that explains the facts, that accounts for all the observations. (An intellectual or intuitive jump has been made.) The theory is a story that knits the collected facts together in a coherent way to explain why (how) the "something that happened" happened the way it did. It illuminates the underlying cause or mechanism or reason for the way that the thing happens.
Observation consists of simply observing. You can observe something without any intention of giving it further thought, or without considering any kind of cause/effect relationship.

Investigation implies that you would be attempting to understand an underlying cause or implication of something you have observed. Observation is frequently a part of a good investigation.

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12y ago
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14y ago

the observation is the one you used in making an experiment,. observing is done by using your senses,. you will see,touch,taste,smell etc. there are two kinds of observations one is quantitative and the other is qualitative,.,

.,. measurements have the accurate measure of what you are seeing,. you can infer what can you see,. you can tell that exact quality or quantity of that object by having its accurate size,length, and etc.

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11y ago

Observation is only experimental; from many observations a theory is deducted.

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14y ago

An observation is something that you observer about something,and data is the result.

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7y ago

For example the determination of the melting point.

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7y ago

Observation is the reception of information; explanation interprets and explains these data.

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12y ago

Data

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Q: What is the difference between an observation and data?
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