In the past, scientists had to manually collect data. This was a time-consuming and labor-intensive process. For example, to study the weather, scientists had to take measurements with instruments such as thermometers and barometers. To study animal behavior, scientists had to observe animals in their natural habitats. Today, technology has made it possible to collect data much more efficiently. For example, sensors can be used to collect data in real time, and computers can be used to analyze data quickly and accurately. As a result, scientists are now able to collect and analyze data on a much larger scale than ever before.