Observation? Inference? Quantitative? Qualitative?

How does an observation differ from an inference?

• Observations are facts that you can experience

  with your senses

• Inferences are explanations or interpretations

  based on what you observe, and related

  to what you know from past experience

Multiple Choice

I Brian is probably smarter than Joe

• Observation

• Inference

Multiple Choice

The dogs fur is brown

• Observation

• Inference

What are the two kinds of observations made in science?

• Qualitative - descriptions of things (color, texture, smell)

• Quantitative- measurements of things (height, length, temperature)

Multiple Choice

The Slurpee from the 7-11 is very sour. 

• Quantitative Observation
• Qualitative Observation

Multiple Choice

The turtle smells like rotten eggs

• Quantitative Observation
• Qualitative Observation

Now try identifying examples of both things at once:

​Example

Observation​

Inference​

​Qualitative?

Quantitative?

Multiple Choice

I think science class will be very fun this year. 

• Qualitative Observation 
• Inference
• Quantitative Observation

Multiple Choice

The cardinal outside is very loud. 

• Quantitative Observation 
• Inference
• Qualitative Observation

Multiple Choice

I bet the Thunderhawks and Eagles will both make the playoffs. 

• Quantitative Observation
• Inference
• Qualititaive Oberservation

Multiple Choice

I think the winter is going to be very cold this year.

• Qualitative Observation
• Inference
• Quantitative Observation

Multiple Choice

The basketball is a bright orange color. 

• Quantitative Observation
• Inference
• Qualitative Observation

Multiple Choice

Based on the smell and sound coming from Mr. Brady's room I think they may be dissecting cats

• Quantitative Observation
• Inference
• Qualitaitve Observation

Multiple Choice

The dogs fur is soft.

• Qualitative Observation
• Inference
• Quantitative Observation

Multiple Choice

I think it will take me 2 hours to do my homework

• Qualitative Observation
• Inference
• Quantitative Observation

Multiple Choice

The liquid in the test tube is bubbling

• Qualitative Observation
• Inference
• Quantitative Observation

Multiple Choice

The liquid in the test tube is bubbling, I think  it must be hot

• Qualitative Observation
• Inference
• Quantitative Observation

Multiple Choice

There is 27mL of liquid in the test tube

• Qualitative Observation
• Inference
• Quantitative Observation

Multiple Choice

I have 50 math problems left to do for homework

• Quantitative Observation
• Inference
• Qualitaitve Observation

Multiple Choice

The liquid in the test tube is 90 degrees fahrenheit

• Quantitative Observation
• Inference
• Qualitative Observation 

Multiple Choice

What is observation?

• Using the 5 senses and available tools to make conclusions and formulate opinions
• Asking questions
• Singing songs
• Dancing

Multiple Choice

The flowers are green and blue. 

• Qualitative Observation
• Quantitative Observation
• Inference

Multiple Choice

There are 75 trees in the forest. 

• Qualitative Observation
• Quantitative Observation
• Inference

Multiple Choice

There are ten buttons on the table. 

• Qualitative Observation
• Quantitative Observation
• Inference

Multiple Choice

There are 54 players on the Carolina Panthers football team. 

• Qualitative Observation 
• Quantitative Observation 
• Inference

Multiple Choice

He is wearing a hat because he is happy

• Qualitative Observation
• Quantitative Observation
• Inference

Multiple Choice

The volcano is going to destroy houses

• Qualitative Observation
• Quantitative Observation
• Inference

Multiple Choice

The skeleton is wearing a hat 

• Qualitative Observation
• Quantitative Observation
• Inference

Multiple Choice

The river is flowing fast

• Qualitative Observation
• Quantitative Observation
• Inference

Multiple Choice

The grass is growing very fast because we have had a lot of precipitation

• Qualitative Observation
• Quantitative Observation
• Inference