The nature of science. Scientific knowledge is the product of observation and inference. Observations and Inferences

OBSERVATIONS AND INFERENCES Essential Question How do scientists use observations and inferences? Do Now Look at the drawing. What do you notice? What do you think happened?

Scientific Principles  What is an observation?  A fact perceived by your five senses (sight, hear, smell, taste, touch)  What is an inference?  An assumption based on the observation

How does your story change? Observation? Inference? Observations and Inferences

How does your story change? Observation? Inference? Observations and Inferences

What do you observe? What do you infer? Compare what you think now to your earlier written accounts. Observations and Inferences

What do you observe? What do you infer? Compare what you think now to your earlier written accounts. Observations and Inferences

Write one observation. Write one inference.

Write one observation. Write one inference.

Write one observation. Write one inference.

Write one observation. Write one inference.

Write one observation. Write one inference.

Write one observation. Write one inference.

Quantitative / Qualitative Observation  Quantitative observations are ones that are based on a QUANTITY.  These would be measurements.  Weight  Height  Length  Qualitative Observations.  These are based on characteristics.  Color  Size  Texture Quantitative ObservationsQualitative Observations

Qualitative vs. Quantitative  In this classroom make 3 descriptions for:  1. Quantitative statement  2. Qualitative statement

Scientific Method  Scientists do two main types of studies. Experimental Observational Control, Test Study, Observe, analyze

Experimental Study  To answer a question or solve a problem through a test. Probably what you learned in middle school.  Problem  Background information  Hypothesis  Experiment  Analyze data  Conclusion

Observational Study  Can’t always test so scientist will OBSERVE and try to learn that way. Common in earth science.  Why can’t you always test?  Example: What kind of life is in a pond ecosystem?  Observation: Go out into the pond and make observations and collect specimens.  Analyze data: Study specimens.  Conclusion: Talk about what you learned.

Observations and Inferences  Scientific knowledge is developed from a combination of both observations and inferences.  Observations are made from information gathered with the five senses, often augmented with technology.  Inferences are logical interpretations derived from a combination of observation and prior knowledge.  Together, they form the basis of all scientific ideas.

Summary  What is the difference between an observation and an inference.  What is the difference between a quantitative observation and a qualitative observation.  How can people have different inferences about the same observations.  What is an observational study?