Observation & Inference

Which of the following is a quantitative observation?

• the petals are red

• there are eight petals

• the petals are shaped like hearts

• the petals are smooth

Which of the following is a qualitative observation?

• the dog has two ears

• the dog has fifteen spots

• the dog has shaggy fur

• the dog has fifty whiskers

Qualitative observations use numbers.

• true

• false

Quantitative observations use numbers.

• true

• false

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-1

There are fourteen penguins.

• Observation
• Inference

Tags

NGSS.3-LS2-1

The penguins are black and white.

• Observation
• Inference

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.1

CCSS.RI.6.1

CCSS.RL.4.1

CCSS.RL.5.1

CCSS.RL.6.1

The penguin is jumping because he wants to get food.

• Observation
• Inference

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.1

CCSS.RI.5.1

CCSS.RI.6.1

CCSS.RL.4.1

CCSS.RL.6.1

A scientist discovers the body of an unknown species of frog in the rain forest of Brazil.  She writes several statements in her journal about the animal shown above.  Which of the following is an observation about the frog?

• The frog might be poisonous because it is very brightly colored.
• It has a mass of 22.4 grams.
• The frog is probably a tree climber because it has large, round toe pads.
• I think the frog is a species of poison dart frog because of its size and color.

Tags

CCSS.RI.4.7

CCSS.RI.5.7

CCSS.RL.4.7

CCSS.RL.5.7

CCSS.RL.6.7

A student placed 50 mealworms in the middle of an aquarium containing a light, a cardboard tube and a water dish.  He waited five minutes and then recorded the data for the first trial in the table above.  The student repeated this procedure two more times, and recorded the results.  Read the results of all three trials.  Which inference could you make about mealworms based on the results.

• The mealworms probably prefer the darkness of a cardboard tube.
• There were 6 mealworms under the light in trial 2. 
• Mealworms love water. 
• There were 36 more mealworms in the cardboard tube versus the light in trial 3.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

What is an observation?

• Information gathered using the 5 senses

• A question based on past experience

• A prediction

• Information that only comes from measurements

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-8