OBSERVATION & INFERRENCE Observation: Scientists use their 5 senses to gather information about the natural world. Observations are free of opinion or interpretation and can be repeated by others with the same results. Accurate & Objective!! EX. The observation that a maple tree’s leaves turn red in the fall is evidence. Inference: Logical assumptions for a body of evidence. People derive a conclusion from the evidence collected through observation. EX. People naturally infer that leaves turn red in the fall because the weather becomes colder. They have evidence of both color change and temperature drop.

Qualitative Vs. Quantitative Observations Observations can be either qualitative or quantitative. Qualitative: descriptions that do not use numbers. Ex.) Reporting colors, smells,tastes,textures and sounds. Quantitative: observations that do use numbers. (Think quantity…how many?) Quantitative observations often use tools to collect measurement data.

Copy & Identify each statement as Qualitative or Quantitative: The classroom walls are yellow. There are 21 students in the room. The classroom floors are a shiny yellow, blue, orange square pattern. The whiteboard is 1meter high and two meters wide.