- 1[uncountable, countable] the act of watching someone or something carefully for a period of time, especially to learn something Most information was collected by direct observation of the animals' behavior. results based on scientific observations We managed to escape observation (= we were not seen). The patient is being kept under observation (= watched closely by the doctors). She has outstanding powers of observation (= the ability to notice things around her). an observation post/tower (= a place from where someone, especially an enemy, can be watched) Topic CollocationsScientific Researchtheory
- formulate/advance a theory/hypothesis
- build/construct/create/develop a simple/theoretical/mathematical model
- develop/establish/provide/use a theoretical/conceptual framework/an algorithm
- advance/argue/develop the thesis that…
- explore an idea/a concept/a hypothesis
- make a prediction/an inference
- base a prediction/your calculations on something
- investigate/evaluate/accept/challenge/reject a theory/hypothesis/model
- design an experiment/a questionnaire/a study/a test
- do research/an experiment/an analysis
- make observations/calculations
- take/record measurements
- carry out/conduct/perform an experiment/a test/a longitudinal study/observations/clinical trials
- run an experiment/a simulation/clinical trials
- repeat an experiment/a test/an analysis
- replicate a study/the results/the findings
- observe/study/examine/investigate/assess a pattern/a process/a behavior
- fund/support the research/project/study
- seek/provide/get/secure funding for research
- collect/gather/extract data/information
- yield data/evidence/similar findings/the same results
- analyze/examine the data/soil samples/a specimen
- consider/compare/interpret the results/findings
- fit the data/model
- confirm/support/verify a prediction/a hypothesis/the results/the findings
- prove a conjecture/hypothesis/theorem
- draw/make/reach the same conclusions
- read/review the records/literature
- describe/report an experiment/a study
- present/publish/summarize the results/findings
- present/publish/read/review/cite a paper in a scientific journal
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- 2[countable] observation (about/on something) a comment, especially based on something you have seen, heard, or read synonym remark He began by making a few general observations about the report. She has some interesting observations on possible future developments.
NAmE//ˌɑbzərˈveɪʃənl//, NAmE//ˌɑbsərˈveɪʃənl//
adjectiveSee observation in the Oxford Advanced Learner's DictionaryCheck pronunciation: observation