Observation vs. Inference

Observation vs. Inference

Scientists in the real world use observations and inferences to draw conclusions and solve problems everyday.

What is an observation ?

• an observation states a fact

• this fact is based on our 5 senses

• these statements are very straight and to the point

Examples of Observations

• The flower is purple with white stripes.

• The frog hopped off the lily pad in to the pond.

• The sun melted the ice cream. 

• The fly is black and is buzzing through the room.

• I smell something cooking in the kitchen.

Some Observations are qualitative and some are quantitative. 

Qualitative observations use your 5 senses to state facts. Quantitative use numbers to state the facts. 

When you make an observation, you do not guess or make a hypothesis. 

You simply state the facts. The liquid turned red in the beaker. 

What is an inference?

An inference is opposite of an observation. 
When you make an inference you make a guess based on what you observe. 

An inference can also be called a hypothesis or a guess. 

Some examples of inferences

• I smell something hot, something must be on fire.

• I think there is an animal in our basement because I heard a noise. 

• She is wearing a yellow tshirt that must be here favorite color. 

Scientists use both observations and inferences

A good scientist will use both to help solve a problem and draw a conclusion.