Nature of Science

What is an observation?

• A statement using your 5 senses.

• An educated guess.

• Asking questions.

• Drawing conclusions.

What is an inference?

• Something that can be proven to be true.

• A guess or conclusion that is made based on an observation.

Which statement is an inference about this picture?

• The van is tan.

• The van is in the window of a KFC.

• The driver of the van was really hungry.

• There are red and white stripes on the building.

Observation or inference? The puppy is brown.

• Observation

• Inference

Observation or inference? The puppy was abandoned.

• Observation

• Inference

Select the quantitative observation.

• The squirrel has 2 arms.

• The squirrel is wearing a superman outfit.

• The squirrel has gray fur.

• The squirrel is going to save the world.

Select the inference.

• The squirrel has 2 arms.

• The squirrel is wearing a superman outfit.

• The squirrel has gray fur.

• The squirrel is going to save the world.

Observation or inference? The cat is scared.

• Observation

• Inference

Observation or inference? The cat has 2 eyes, 2 ears and 1 mouth.

• Observation

• Inference

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.

• The frog is probably a tree climber.

• The frog has a mass of 22.4 grams.

• I think the frog is a species of poison dart frog because of its size and color.