Abstract: A system for the collection of observations is described which has particular application in the clinical research and aerospace industries. The system has a planning station, for preparing a work package of observations to be collected; a download station, for downloading the work package to at least one primary capture tool, the primary capture tool being used to collect observations according to the work package autonomously; and an upload station, for uploading the observations from the at least one primary capture tool. The invention also concerns a method for collecting observations, as well as a graphical interface therefor. The invention makes use of an atomic database, which obviates the need to reprogram the database when it is to be used for a different set of observations to be collected.