1. Observation & Inference
modified by Liz LaRosa , from original posted at:

2. Observations
Any information collected with the senses. (hearing, seeing, touching, smelling, tasting)
Quantitative – measureable or countable
Examples are:
3 meters long
4 marbles
50 kilograms
35 degrees Celsius
Qualitative – describable, not measureable
red flowers
smells like fresh baked cookies
Tastes bitter
The skill of describing scientific events

3. Inference Conclusions based on observations PLUS your prior knowledge.
The process of drawing a conclusion from given evidence.
NOT always correct! BECAUSE…not everyone has the SAME prior knowledge!
Scientists must be careful when collecting data to record only observations and not inferences.

4. Let’s Practice Distinguishing between Observations & Inferences
I hear people screaming
I smell cotton candy, popcorn, and hamburgers
I see a lot of people
Inference = ?

5. Look at these two sets of animal tracks.
FIRST: List 3 OBSERVATIONS
Make an INFERENCE

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

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

8. Activity Page CONCLUSION:
CONCLUSION:
Observations are info we collect using our 5 senses.
Scientists use observations PLUS what they know from past experience to draw conclusions.

9. Look at the picture then on the next slide identify observations & inferences

10. “I” for inference “O” for observation
__ There are 2 trucks with crumpled fenders.
__The larger truck ran into the smaller truck.
__ The man in the phone booth is calling the police.
__ The man sitting on the sidewalk has a cut on his forehead.
___ The man standing has a feels sorry. I I O I

11. HOMEWORK The Boy in the Water: Read each statement
Write “I” if it is an inference
Write “O” if it is an observation.

12. Source of graphic: http://bob.nap.edu/html/evolution98/evol6-e.html