I got tired of all this "It's just interpretation" crap, and I needed a simple example of what myself and all geologists do. I measure things and then am forced into logical conclusions based upon my observations.
Of coarse it is necessary to know how to make observations, things like identifying minerals, rocks or fossils and accurately placing them in 3-D space.
I think that knowing how to make observations includes being able to interpret smaller observations and consolidate that into a larger observation.
By that I mean, what a knowledgeable and experienced geologist can observe is because s/he can interpret the details.
Example of how 3 different people could observe the same plutonic igneous rock sample:
4 year old child - Oh, it's a hard thing having shiny colored parts.
Beginner geologist - I'm pretty sure it's an igneous rock.
Experienced specialized geologist - It's a piece of {insert obscure highly specialized rock name}.
They're all looking at the same thing, but the experienced specialized geologist is seeing (observing) so much more. S/he's observing so much more because s/he knows how to interpret all the details that make up the rock, and is subconsciously doing such.
Thus, what would be a simple observation for one person, would be far beyond the ability of the 4 year old child, and would at least require a substantial effort of conscious study and interpretation for the beginner geologist.
Moose