1. Observations and Inferences

2. Observations
Means using one or more of your five senses to gather information.
Must be a FACT
Must be specific and accurate, so that it means the same to everyone.
Example:
Incorrect: The burning bag smelled nasty
Correct: The burning bag smelled similar to rotten eggs

3. Types of Observations
Qualitative observations – factual descriptions that DO NOT use numbers
Example – Mrs. Weimer has blue eyes
Quantitative observations – factual descriptions that DO use numbers
Example – Mrs. Weimer has two eyes

4. Inference
When you explain or interpret something based on what you observe. It is NOT a guess or an opinion!
Example: You see a lot of students in the halls between classes wearing hats so you infer that one of the teams is having a hat day.

5. Make your own inferences!
All middle school students are bringing lunch from home.
The principal interrupts class and calls a student from the room.
The classroom lights are off.

6. Observation or Inference?
You shake a box and hear nothing. The box is empty.
You are holding a peanut. The peanuts inside the shell have a skin around them.
A scientist watches a group of bees. More bees land on the yellow flowers than on the purple flowers.
You measure the sides of a cube to be 3 cm. The volume of the cube is 27 cubic centimeters.