Skills of a Scientist

Observations The descriptions of characteristics or attributes, such as objects, processes or events. Can usually be the same for any observer Can be anything you can touch, see, smell, hear or taste

Inferences Judgments or interpretations about such things as objects, processes or events. Can usually be different depending on the observer Use observations along with information that may be missing to make an “educated guess” Can turn into hypothesis and theory in science

Quantitative Observation Data that is composed of a number or amount The quantity of something

Qualitative Observation Data that is descriptive Usually what you can touch, see, smell, hear or taste

HOW GOOD ARE YOUR POWERS OF OBSERVATION? Initial observations are usually less than 100% accurate. As a demonstration of this theory, read the following paragraph once and determine the number of “f”'s.

The necessity of training farm hands for first class farms in the fatherly handling of farm livestock is foremost in the minds of farm owners. Since the forefathers of the farm owners trained the farm hands for the first class farms in the fatherly handling of farm livestock, the farm owners feel they should carry on with the family tradition of training farm hands of first class farms in the fatherly handling of farm livestock because they believe it is the basis of good fundamental farm management.