How we look at things in science Observations How we look at things in science

Learning Objective I I can differentiate between observation and inference and apply this knowledge in a scientific context.

What is observation? Observations are made in science. They are made by using: Senses Tools increase accuracy & precision Facts not opinions.

Two types of Observation Qualitative Quantitative

Qualitative Observations Hard to measure precisely Describes the qualities of something Color Taste Sound

Quantitative Observations Can be expressed in numbers Can be counted or measured Amounts Temperature Mass Length Allow us to communicate specifics Tools are often used to determine the value Observations are often collected in data tables

Inference Drawing a conclusion based on data and observation The process of drawing a conclusion from given evidence. Practice: Observations: I see a lot of people I hear someone screaming I smell cotton candy, popcorn, and hamburgers Inference = ?

Observation Inference That plant is extremely wilted. The car stopped running My friend is holding a half of a gigantic wheel of cheese, and there are bite marks all over one side of it. That plant is extremely wilted due to a lack of water. The car stopped running because it was out of gas. The cheese has bite marks out of it because my friend has been eating a ton of cheese.

Observation or Inference Let’s Practice…. Look at the picture & decide if the statement is an Observation or Inference

The narrow windows were used as rifle slits. Inference

There was a garden located outside the Citadel. Observation

Gardens were an important part of everyday life during the military years on Alcatraz Island. Inference

People in the garden are in mourning. Inference

Men were required to wear jackets and women were required to wear dresses Inference

The citadel was made of brick. Observation

There is a picket fence. Observation

People used to spend more time outside. Inference

There are eight people in the photograph. Observation

The garden provided food for the families living on Alcatraz. Inference

Look at these two sets of animal tracks. List 3 OBSERVATIONS Make an INFERENCE

Now what do you think? Make 3 OBSERVATIONS Make an INFERENCE

Now what do you think? Make 3 OBSERVATIONS Make an INFERENCE

When to use observation & inference… During experiments, record observations NOT inferences Inferences may be used when writing the conclusion in your lab report.

Observation vs. Inference examples https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKMxhmUsac4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jbgnJOpl2Q

Observation game Everyone will view the following image for 60 seconds Everyone will then be asked questions regarding what was in the picture Half the class will be allowed to use a pencil/pen and paper to record anything they would like during the 60 second viewing period Half the class will only be allowed to look and will not be able to record anything

Questions Not including the shoulders of the road, how many total lanes were in the picture? Did either outer edge have a metal rail? If so, which side? What type of vehicle is the nearest car on the right? (i.e. van, car, pick up truck, motorcycle, semi-truck) What color is the nearest vehicle on the left? How fast are the cars going?

Questions Not including the shoulders of the road, how many total lanes were in the picture? 4 Did either outer edge have a metal rail? If so, which side? Yes, the left side What type of vehicle is the nearest car on the right? (i.e. van, car, pick up truck, motorcycle, semi-truck) van What color is the nearest vehicle on the left? White How fast are the cars going? Around 70 mph

Questions What color are the very tops of the mountains? Is the tallest mountain centered in the picture, a little to the left, or a little to the right? What color are the visible tree trunks on the right side of the picture? What time of year is it? What time of day is it? How was this valley formed?

Questions What color are the very tops of the mountains? maroon Is the tallest mountain centered in the picture, a little to the left, or a little to the right? To the left What color are the visible tree trunks on the right side of the picture? white What time of year is it? fall What time of day is it? morning How was this valley formed? glaciers

References www.middleschoolscience.com/...Observation_Inference- isn.ppt www.learnnc.org/lp/pages/998 www.nps.gov/.../upload/Questioning_Artifacts- Observation_worksheet.pdf