Direct observation is the preferred strategy when conducting a comprehensive assessment. This skill relies on direct use of your senses. What am I seeing, smelling, hearing, or touching? What does it look like, smell like, sound like, and feel like? But observation isn't left at that. It leads to: Is this different than I would expect? What could this be related to or caused by? What does this mean? Does it pose an immediate concern? What else must I observe, and what additional information must I obtain to clarify or confirm what I am seeing, hearing, etc.?