Inference & Observation

Inference & Observation.....

What does this even mean????

Inference: ​a conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning.

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What does that mean? A hypothesis, a theory a conclusion or an assumption. WHAT DO YOU THINK IS HAPPENING?​

​​Inference

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1. ​The Gazelle is looking for water.

2. The Gazelle are scared of lions.​

Examples:

Observation: ​a remark, statement, or comment based on something one has seen, heard, or noticed.

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What does that mean? What can you actually see that cannot be questioned. NOT BASED ON PRIOR KNOWLEDGE.

​​Observation

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1. ​The animals have horns.

2. There is grass.

3. ​The sky is blue.

4. The animals are taller than the grass​.

Examples:

Quiz Section

​Decide if the statement is an inference or observation.

Multiple Choice

The baby is stretching after waking up.

• Inference

• Observation

Inference​

It is an inference because you were able to look at the baby's legs and arms and use your experience to determine that it looks like the baby is stretching.

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​Usually if you are using verbs (action words) you are making an assumption of action.

Multiple Choice

The baby has two visible eyes

• Inference

• Observation

Observation​

It is clear and easy to see there are two visible eyes.

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​Numbers that are easy to count usually will imply that it is an observation instead of an inference.

Multiple Choice

The baby is happy.

• Inference

• Observation

Inference​

How do you know the baby is happy?

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You know the baby is happy based on observing the baby's mouth and cheeks and eyes based on your experiences, you believe the baby to be happy. ​

Multiple Choice

There are 5 people in the picture

• Inference

• Observation

Observation​

We can easily count 5 people in focus on this picture

Multiple Choice

They are at a new years party.

• Inference

• Observation

Inference​

How do you know it's a party? Hats, smiling, drinkings, confetti?

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Those things you see are all observation, what you believe they are doing or where they are, is the result of your experiences putting those observations together ​to make an inference.

Multiple Choice

There are 3 girls and 2 boys.

• Inference

• Observation

Inference​

How do you know the gender of the individuals in the picture? You can believe that a person is of some gender based on norms but in today's world this is increasingly harder to determine.

Multiple Choice

There are 2 players

• Inference

• Observation

Observation​

The number can be clearly seen

Multiple Choice

One player plays for BYU and the other for USC

• Inference

• Observation

Inference​

How do you know that they are BYU & USC. Prior knowledge and experience implies that, but could other teams at other levels have similar or the same uniforms?

Multiple Choice

It is a football game.

• Inference

• Observation

Inference​

How do you know it's a game and not a scrimmage or practice?

Multiple Choice

The athlete just won a wrestling match.

• Inference

• Observation

Inference​

How do you know he won? How do you know it's not water polo? How do you know it's wrestling?

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An observation does not require prior knowledge.​

Multiple Choice

There are two people in focus.

• Inference

• Observation

Observation​

The person on your right and the person in the center are visible and clear.