8
QuizMultiple Choice

Collecting and Organizing Data

Question 8 • PA-Biology CR

Which action is the best example of a direct observation?

Answer
A
identifying which bird was present by the tracks that it leaves in the sand at a beach
B
reading numbers on a heat sensor to conclude that there is a deer in the night woods
C
listening to a cricket chirp at night and counting the number of chirps per minute
D
determining the seal population of an island by counting seals in 10 square meters of the island

Explanation

A direct observation uses your senses to gather information about something happening, rather than inferring it from clues or using a sensor. Listening to a cricket and counting its chirps directly records what you hear. Tracks and heat-sensor readings are indirect clues, while counting seals in a small area to estimate the island’s population is sampling.

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.

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