Observation vs Inference

What is the definition of observation?

• The act of physically touching or handling something or someone.

• The process of creating something new or innovative.

• The act of ignoring or disregarding something or someone.

• The action or process of closely monitoring or examining something or someone to gather information or make a discovery.

What is the definition of inference?

• The act of guessing or speculating without any basis.

• The process of collecting data and analyzing it to draw conclusions.

• The process of drawing conclusions or making predictions based on evidence or reasoning.

• The act of making assumptions without evidence or reasoning.

What are the key differences between observation and inference?

• Observation is drawing conclusions based on prior knowledge, while inference is gathering information through the senses.

• Observation is based on evidence, while inference is based on assumptions.

• Observation is a subjective process, while inference is an objective process.

• Observation is gathering information through the senses, while inference is drawing conclusions based on observations and prior knowledge.

Give an example of an observation.

• Burning of a candle

• Evaporation of water when left outside

• Boiling of water in a pot

• Melting of ice in warm temperature

Give an example of an inference.

• Someone carrying an umbrella in the rain

• Someone holding a map while traveling.

• Someone wearing a winter coat in the summer.

• Someone wearing sunglasses at night.

Which of the following is based on direct evidence? a) Observation b) Inference c) Both Choose the correct option.

• d

• c

• a

• b

Which of the following is based on logical reasoning? a) Observation b) Inference c) Both Choose the correct option.

• a

• c

• d

• b

True or False: Observation is the act of noticing and describing events or processes in a careful, orderly way.

• Observation is the act of exaggerating and distorting events or processes in a chaotic, messy way.

• Observation is the act of guessing and assuming events or processes in a haphazard, disorganized way.

• Observation is the act of noticing and describing events or processes in a careful, orderly way.

• Observation is the act of ignoring and neglecting events or processes in a careless, disorderly way.

True or False: Inference is the act of explaining or interpreting observations based on prior knowledge or experience.

• True

• Inference is the act of collecting data based on prior knowledge or experience.

• Inference is the act of making predictions based on prior knowledge or experience.

• False

Which of the following statements is an observation? a) The apple fell from the tree. b) The apple fell because of gravity. c) The apple fell because it was ripe. Choose the correct option.

• b

• c

• d

• a