Observation and Inference

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes the difference between qualitative and quantitative observations?

• Qualitative observations involve descriptions using senses, while quantitative observations involve numbers and measurements.

• Qualitative observations are always more accurate than quantitative observations.

• Quantitative observations are based on opinions, while qualitative observations are based on facts.

• Qualitative observations require special tools, while quantitative observations do not.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes a qualitative observation?

• It is hard to measure and describes qualities like color, taste, or sound.

• It can be counted or measured using numbers.

• It always uses scientific tools to collect data.

• It is always recorded in data tables.

Open Ended

Explain the difference between qualitative and quantitative observations using your own examples.

Multiple Choice

Which of these is an example of a quantitative observation?

• The solution is blue.

• The temperature is 25°C.

• The music is loud.

• The cake tastes sweet.

Multiple Select

Which of the following are examples of inferences?

• That plant is extremely wilted.

• The car stopped running because it was out of gas.

• That plant is extremely wilted due to a lack of water.

• The car stopped running.

Multiple Choice

"There is a representation of a face on one side of the coin." Is this statement an observation or an inference?

• Observation

• Inference

• Both

• Neither

Multiple Choice

Select all the statements that are observations.

• The coin was made by deeply religious people.

• The date 1722 is printed on one side of the coin.

• The coin was made in 1722.

• The face on the coin is a representation of the nation's president.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following statements is an inference rather than an observation?

• The coin was made by deeply religious people.

• The date 1722 is printed on one side of the coin.

• The coin was made in 1722.

• The face on the coin is a representation of the nation's president.

Open Ended

After looking at the two sets of animal tracks, what is one possible inference you can make about the animals?

Multiple Select

Which of the following statements are true about when to use observations and inferences?

• Observations should be recorded during experiments.

• Inferences are used to write conclusions in lab reports.

• Observations and inferences are the same thing.

• Inferences should be recorded during experiments.

Multiple Choice

Why is it important to record observations and not inferences during experiments?

• Observations are facts, while inferences are guesses.

• Inferences are always wrong.

• Observations are more interesting than inferences.

• Inferences are not allowed in science.

Multiple Choice

What are the two main types of observation discussed in science?

• Qualitative and Quantitative

• Subjective and Objective

• Direct and Indirect

• Visual and Auditory