Observation vs. Inference What is the difference?

Observation: An observation is made using one of the five senses. Inference: An inference is a conclusion or prediction based upon observations.

Observations You must use at least one of the five senses! Sight Touch Hearing Smell Taste

How Can I tell the difference? If the statement is a characteristic made directly with one of the five senses it is an observation. If the statement is a measurement made with an instrument (a number with units) then it is an observation.

How Can I tell the difference? If the statement identifies an object or substance it is an inference. If the statement includes a number that is a prediction of future data than it is an inference.

Meal Observations Write 10 observations (2 for each of your senses) about a meal that you have. Write a brief description of what you had and make your observations from the preparation, consumption, and clean up of the meal. DON”T FORGET A FULL HEADING! I saw… I tasted… I smelled… I felt… I heard…

Measurement A standard mass – 1 gram A standard length – 1 meter A measurement is an observation made by comparison to a standard. A standard mass – 1 gram A standard length – 1 meter A standard volume – 1 liter A standard length of time – 1 second A standard unit of temperature – 1 oC

List an instrument that extends each of the five senses. Measurement It is often made with the use of an instrument that extends the senses. List an instrument that extends each of the five senses.

Is this the snake your partner saw? The milk snake is mimicking (or copying) the look of the coral snake.

Is this the snake your partner saw? The milk snake is mimicking (or copying) the look of the coral snake.

Or… is this the snake your partner saw? For Homework: Students are to explain: What is a good observation? A good observation is one that paints a picture – makes it possible for another person to imagine exactly what you saw. Helps you remember exactly what you saw in the experiment Why is it important? So when you are drawing a conclusion, you are basing it on exactly what you saw – you are basing it on true (credible) information.

For Homework: Students are to explain: What is a good observation? A good observation is one that paints a picture – makes it possible for another person to imagine exactly what you saw. Helps you remember exactly what you saw in the experiment Why is it important? So when you are drawing a conclusion, you are basing it on exactly what you saw – you are basing it on true (credible) information.

It is very important to make detailed observations…

Which statement is the inference? The specimen is pink in color The specimen is moving its wings up and down The specimen has a long nose, four legs and a curly tail The specimen is a flying pig.

How Deductive are you? Deductive reasoning: Drawing conclusions from observations of the natural world by means of logical reasoning Logical: in a way that makes sense In this lab activity, you are going to make observations, and try to figure out what the object is in the bag