Observation and Inference

Observation and Inference

by Laura Rodriguez

​Observation vs. Inference

​Observation -

• ​basic information you get by using your five senses when collecting data

• information you can get by taking measurements when collecting data​

• ​includes qualitative and quantitative observations

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​Inference

• ​A logical conclusion based on observations and prior knowledge

Qualitative Observations:

The elephants are gray

The skin is rough

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Quantitative Observations:

There are two elephants

The larger elephant has

two tusks​

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​Observations:

​Let's Practice

​What are some qualitative observations you can make about the picture?

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​What are some quantitative observations you can make about the picture?

​Let's Practice

​What are some qualitative observations you can make about the picture?

- The flower is pink
- The leaves are glossy

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​What are some quantitative observations you can make about the picture?

- There are 10 petals
- The flower has a mass of 1.7 grams

​Let's Practice

​What is an observation you can

​make about this picture?

​

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​What is an inference you can make

​based on your observations?

​Let's Practice

​What is an observation you can

​make about this picture?

- The wheel is in the road
- The man is on the phone

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​What is an inference you can make

​based on your observations?

- The wheel fell off the car when it hit the truck
- The man is calling the police

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is an observation about this picture?

• The boy has fallen off his bike.

• The boy is in a lot of pain.

• The boy has injuries to his knees

• The boy learned his lesson about wheelies

Multiple Choice

Which of the following statements is an inference about the picture

• The vase is broken.

• The girls' bow is blue and purple.

• The girl broke the vase.

• The girl has blonde hair.

Multiple Choice

Scenario: You walk into the science classroom and see an unfamiliar adult at the front of the room. You also see that Ms. Rodriguez is not in the room. You wonder where she could be. Which one(s) are observations?

• You walk into science.

• You see an unfamiliar adult.

• You wonder where Ms. Rodriguez could be.

• None of these are observations

Multiple Choice

Scenario: You walk into the science classroom and see an unfamiliar adult at the front of the room. You also see that Ms. Rodriguez is not in the room. You wonder where she could be. "Maybe she's home sick today" you think to yourself. Which of these is an inference?

• You walk into science.

• You see an unfamiliar adult.

• You do not see Ms. Rodriguez

• "Maybe she's home sick today" 

Multiple Choice

Scenario: You are shopping at Kroger. You hear glass breaking, a person cursing, and the sharp smell of pickle juice coming from the next aisle.  Which of these is/are observations?

• You hear glass breaking

• You hear a person cursing

• You smell pickle juice

• All of these are observations

Multiple Choice

Scenario: You are shopping at Kroger. You hear glass breaking, a person cursing, and the sharp smell of pickle juice coming from the next aisle.  Based on the scenario, what do you infer (inference)?

• The pickle jar was slippery.

• Someone dropped a jar of pickles.

• All of these are inferences.

• That person is having a bad day.

Multiple Choice

Observations like measurements are ____________ observations

• quantitiative

• qualitative

• operational

• scientific

Multiple Choice

Observations like the color or texture of an object are ________________ observations.

• quantitative

• qualitative

• operational

• scientific

Multiple Choice

Observation or Inference: I notice the tree by the pond has no leaves on it.

• Observation

• Inference

Multiple Choice

Observation or Inference: The boy fell off the branch.

• Observation

• Inference

Multiple Choice

Qualitative or Quantitative: There is 300 mL of liquid in this beaker.

• Qualitative Observation

• Quantitative Observation

Multiple Choice

Qualitative or Quantitative: I feel rough sand and a strong heat on the back of my neck.

• Qualitative Observation

• Quantitative Observation

Open Ended

What is the difference between an observation and inference?