1. Goal: Describe the scientific processes of observing and inferring
Inferences and Observations “You can observe a lot just by watching” -Yogi Berra (famous baseball player)
Goal: Describe the scientific processes of observing and inferring

2. Observations
Observations use one or more of your senses (sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch) to gather information about the world.
Qualitative: Descriptions that do not use numbers (colors, smell, taste, textures, sounds).
Quantitative: Observations that use numbers (counting, measuring, weighing).

3. Observations Tips for making observations:
Use your five senses…i.e. qualitative
Whenever possible, count or use measuring tools to make quantitative observations.
Estimate if no tools are available!
Make sure that your observations are accurate and objective!

4. Observations
Do the following describe qualitative or quantitative observations?
1- The bird has 2 wings.
2- Ms. J has Blue eyes.
3- The flower has 7 petals.
4- The fish feels slimy.
5- The sloth weighs 217lbs.
6- The red flower has 2 green leaves on its stem.
7- The egg smells.
8- The road is long.
Quantitative
Qualitative
Both~ Red flower (qualitative, 2 leaves~ quantitative)
Qualitative (How long?)

5. Observations
How could you make the following example into a quantitative one?
The fish is smelly.
Ex: Add a scale, such as 1-5, 5 being the worst.
What would be wrong with an observation such as “the burning bag smelled nasty”?
Nasty is a relative term. What is nasty to one, is not to another.
To correct this, we would change it to: The burning bag smelled like rotten eggs

6. Observations Take a minute to list some observations
of the given picture.

7. Venn Diagram~ Comparing Quantitative vs. Qualitative Observations

8. Inferences
Inferring is the explaining or interpreting of an observation or statement.
Inferences are based on past experiences and prior knowledge. They are often changed when new observations are made.
Inferences help to explain our observations!

9. Inferences
Tips for making an inference:
Make your inference based on accurate qualitative or quantitative observations.
Combine your observations with knowledge or experience to make your inference.
Try to make more that one logical inference from the same observation.
Decide what new information you need to show whether your inferences are true.
Gather more information…. If necessary.
Be prepared to modify, reject or revise your inference.

10. Inferences Examples: The grass on the school’s front lawn is wet.
Possible Inferences
It rained
The sprinkler was on
There is dew on the grass from the morning
A dog urinated on the grass
All of these inferences could possibly explain why the grass is wet. They are all based on prior experiences. We have all seen rain, sprinklers, dew, the dog doing its thing…

11. Inferences
What inferences could be made from the following observation:
“The school fire alarm is going off.”
“Traffic on the highway is moving really slow.”

12. Inferences
List some inferences that could be made about this picture.