Observation vs. Inference

What is an observation? When you observe, you become aware of something using one of your senses. Your five senses are smell, taste, sight, touch, and sound. In an observation you simply describe something as it appears. An observation is a statement describing a fact.

Observation In the space below, record 5 observations about your science classroom. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Take a good look at this picture

Question 1 Are there cars parked on the sides of the road?

Question 2 What color is the pickup truck driving in the road?

Question 3 What's the speed limit?

Question 4 Any minivans around?

Question 4 How many signs are there?

Question 5 Are there any pedestrians on the road?

Question 6 Are there any lines on the road? What style?

Question 7 How many yellow poles are present?

Question 8 How many trash cans are present?

What animal do you observe? A Duck, Bunny, or BOTH?

This image contains a picture and a word. Do you see both of them?

Compare this picture to the next one…

What’s the difference?

Does the square have curved sides?

These circles are not moving, your brain is making them appear to move These circles are not moving, your brain is making them appear to move. Try focusing on one circle. It will stop moving.

Are these dots moving?

There are some things that cannot be observed using just your senses There are some things that cannot be observed using just your senses. (Examples: radiation, sound waves, planets, cells, etc.) How do you think these things were discovered?

What is an inference? A possible explanation An assumption A mental judgment Based on your observations and prior knowledge. Inferences cannot be directly observed. They require thought.

Inferences EXAMPLE: If you get up in the morning, look up at the sky and observe dark clouds, observe the air is cool and humid, and observe puddles on the ground, you might infer that it has recently rained. Note: you did not see rain; you decided that it rained based on your observations.

List 3 inferences about the classroom 1. 2. 3.

Examples Observations: That plant is wilted. The car will not start. The windows are open. Inferences: The plant did not get enough water. The car is out of gas. It was hot in the classroom.

Observation vs Inference On the next slide, state whether the statement is an observation or an inference.

1. There is a representation of a face on one side of the coin. 2. The Latin word "Dei" means "God." 3. The coin was made by deeply religious people. 4. The date 1722 is printed on one side of the coin. 5. The coin was made in 1722. 6. The face on the coin is a representation of the nation's president.

More examples What observations can we make about this picture? What can we infer based on this picture?

What observations can we make from these pictures? What inferences can we make?