1. Observations & Inferences Notes

2. Observation: any use of the senses to gather information
What is an observation?
Observation: any use of the senses to gather information

3. Make observations by….. Looking Smelling Touching
Tasting (with permission)
Hearing
Can you think of any more?

4. Scientists make observations and then they begin to ask questions.
You can do it anytime, anywhere.

5. What is an inference?
If you went outside and the sky was dark, you hear thunder what do you think of?
Or what do you infer?

6. What if you came into class and saw a clear, odorless liquid sitting in a glass cup on your tables?
What would you infer?

7. Inference- the process of arriving at a conclusion

8. So let’s make some visual observations and inferences!

9. Qualitative & Quantitative Observations
There are different kinds of observations

10. Look closely at the words…..
Qualitative
Does this word sound like anything you have heard before?

11. Look closely at the words…
Qualitative
Sounds like Quality

12. Qualitative Observations
Qualitative Observations are descriptions using the five senses

13. Examples
The candle smells like vanilla.
That music is so annoying.
My dog has long hair.
The road gets slippery after it rains.

14. Qualitative Observations
IT LOOKS
IT SMELLS
IT FEELS
IT SOUNDS
IT TASTES
Bubbly
Sweet
Rough
Loud
Clear
Wet
Padded
Squeaky
Moldy
Like a cave
Burnt
Silky
Silent
Salty

15. Look at the words closely….
Quantitative
Does this word sound like anything you have heard before?

16. Look at the words closely….
Quantitative
Sounds like Quantity (meaning how much)

17. Quantitative Observations
Quantitative Observations are descriptions using numbers, measurements, and units.

18. Examples I ran 2 miles last night. The movie was over 3 hours long.
Katie lost her first tooth.
The tree was 4 meters tall.

19. Quantitative Observations
Measuring Tool
Unit Used in Measuring
Examples
Clock or stopwatch
Second, minute, hour
5.4 seconds, 2 minutes
Calendar
Day, week, month, year
2 days, 1 week,

20. Now go make some qualitative and quantitative observations