Surveying
(1) The process of data collection by observation and measurement. (2) The science and art of making all essential measurements in space to determine the relative position of points and/or physical and cultural details above, on, or beneath the surface of the earth and to depict them in usable form, or to establish the position of points and/or details. Also, the actual making of a survey and the recording and/or delineation of dimensions and details for subsequent use. (3) The acquiring and/or accumulation of qualitative information and quantitative data by observing, counting, classifying, and recording according to need. Examples are traffic surveying to determine the type, number, speed, relative positions, and origin and destinations of vehicles; and soil surveying to classify soils by type and to measure and delineate their boundaries.