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

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

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

4. Two types of Observation
Qualitative
Quantitative

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

6. 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

7. 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 = ?

8. 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.

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

10. The narrow windows were used as rifle slits.
Inference

11. There was a garden located outside the Citadel.
Observation

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

13. People in the garden are in mourning.
Inference

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

15. The citadel was made of brick.
Observation

16. There is a picket fence.
Observation

17. People used to spend more time outside.
Inference

18. There are eight people in the photograph.
Observation

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

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

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

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

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

26. Observation vs. Inference examples

27. 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

29. 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?

30. 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

32. 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?

33. 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

34. References
isn.ppt
Observation_worksheet.pdf