Observation vs Inference

Observation vs Inference

​Observations

• ​Any information collected with the senses. 

  • The skill of describing scientific events

    Quantitative – measurable or countable

    • 3 meters long

    • 4 marbles

    • 50 kilograms

    • 35 degrees Celsius​

    • Qualitative – described, not measured

      red flowers

      smells like fresh baked cookies

      tastes bitter

Multiple Select

Read the following examples and select the quantitative observations

• The candy was sour

• The bug was 5cm's long

• The flower is red

• The mass of the beaker is 150g

• My fingernail is 2cm long

Multiple Select

Read the following examples and select the qualitative observations

• The slug was slimy

• The laptop is white

• She is 150cm tall

• His hair is black 

• You have 3 sisters

​Inference

• ​Conclusions or deductions based on observations​​

• The process of drawing a conclusion from given evidence

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​Practice

​Listen to the following three observations and infer where you might be for each one.

Open Ended

1. "I hear seagulls and waves"

2. "I hear screaming and smell popcorn"

3. "I see a lot of people"