01082022 Observation vs Inference

Previous Lesson

Still remember?

Hazard Symbol

Lab Safety

Multiple Choice

In a laboratory, the following should NOT be worn

• gloves

• open toed shoes

• apron

• goggles

Multiple Choice

In the classroom you should stack your bags and books in the aisles.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

If you do not understand a direction or part of a lab procedure, you should

• figure it out on your own as you go

• ask your teacher

• guess

• write a pros and cons list

Multiple Choice

To put out a fire on a person's hair or clothes, use:

• the fire blanket.
• the wind from running.
• the fire extinguisher.
• any wet chemical you can find.

Multiple Choice

When is it OK to eat or drink at the lab tables?

• Always

• During group work, but not during lab activities

• When you have teacher permission

• During lab activities

Multiple Choice

When removing the plug from a socket,

• after washing your hands, unplug the cord.

• grab the cord and jerk it out of the wall

• grasp the plug

Multiple Choice

Long hair in the laboratory must be 

• cut short. 

• held away from the experiment with one hand.

• always neatly groomed.

• D.tied back or kept entirely out of the way with a hair band, hairpins, or other confining device.

Multiple Choice

After you finish heating glass,

• place it on the desk.

• rinse the glass to cool it off.

• place it on an insulation pad.

Multiple Choice

If you do not understand how to use a piece of equipment,

• try to figure it out.

• ask your lab partner and then do it.

• ask the instructor.

Multiple Choice

When you finish working with chemicals, biological specimens, and other lab substances, always 

• wipe your hands on your clothes
• wipe your hands on a towel
• wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water
• treat your hands with skin lotion

Observation vs Inference

Let's see the difference!

Learning Objective

​

• Students learn the role of the five senses in making observations.

• ​Students learn the difference between qualitative and quantitative observations.

• Students practice making inferences based on observations.

​

What is observation?

An observation is information gathered using our senses.

Your senses include sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell. Sometimes technological devices, like microscopes, are used to help. Thoughtful observation is clear and detailed and it takes practice

Observations can be either quantitative or qualitative. 

• Quantitative observations- involve numbers, or an amount.

• Qualitative observations- involve descriptions that cannot be expressed with numbers.

Side by side comparison

Both types of observations are valuable in science. In an experiment though, quantitative observations can be precisely and objectively compared.

Qualitative: The road is long. (describes)

Quantitative: The road is 5 km long. (measures)

Some things are easier to quantify than others. Scientists use innovative ways of turning qualitative into quantitative.

Inference

​

Inference

Inferences are based on reasoning from what you already know. You make inferences all the time. Because your brain processes observations and other information so quickly, you may not even realize when you have made an inference.

Example

if you see your friend smile after getting back a test, you might infer that she got a good grade. Inferences are not always correct, however. Your friend’s smile may have nothing to do with the test. 

Another example: State the observation and Inferences from picture

Another example

• Observation: The grass on the school’s front lawn is wet.

• Possible inferences:

  • It rained.

  • The sprinkler was on.

  • There is dew on the grass from the morning.

  • A dog urinated on the grass!

Multiple Choice

Explaining or interpreting the observations is called _____?

• observation

• inference

• question

Multiple Choice

The girl is folding her arms.

• Observation

• Inference

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is an example of a qualitative observation?

• The cat weighs 34 kg

• The clouds look grey and dark

• The girl can run 15 mph

• There are 50 states in the USA

Multiple Choice

An observation that uses words without numbers or amounts is called a _________ observation?

• quantitative

• qualitative

• observation

• inference

Multiple Choice

What is an observation for this picture?

• The man is scared
• The man is going to get eaten
• There is a man in a kayak
• The man is paddling fast

Multiple Choice

Which statement is an inference about this picture?

• The van is tan.
• The  van ran into KFC. 
• The driver was hungry. 
• An ambulance may be on the way.