2. NOTES NO. 2

3. OBSERVATIONS Making accurate observations is a good scientific skill.

4. OBSERVATIONS- are made by using one or more of one’s senses to gather information about the world.  Quantitative observations- these involve numbers or measurements.  Qualitative observations- these involve descriptions [not numbers].

5. EXAMPLES….. QUANTITATIVE- “I see 9 dead people.” QUALITATIVE- “I see white dead people.” INFERENCE: attempted explanations for observations.

6. WHAT KIND? 1. “I am sick and tired of these slimy snakes in the plane!” 2. “I am sick and tired of these 20,000 snakes in the plane!”

7. A. Joey is eating like a horse! B. He must be very hungry! Example of an Inference She smells nasty! Observation. She must not have taken a bath. Inference.

8. THEORY- is a thoroughly tested model or explanation as to why certain events occur. SCIENTIFIC LAW- a short statement that summarizes the results of a wide variety of observations and experiments. DATA- qualitative and quantitative observations collected from an experiment.

9. Scientific Law vs. Theory A scientific law is like a slingshot. A slingshot has but one moving part--the rubber band. If you put a rock in it and draw it back, the rock will fly out at a predictable speed, depending upon the distance the band is drawn back. An automobile has many moving parts, all working so one can drive it. An automobile is a complex piece of machinery. Sometimes, improvements are made to one or more component parts. But the function of the automobile as a whole remains unchanged. A theory is like the automobile. Components of it can be changed or improved upon, without changing the overall truth of the theory as a whole.

10. Observation or Inference or Both? 1. The class room walls are white. 2. Linda is absent, she is probably sick. 3. That 67 year old actress looks so young! 4. She must have had eight plastic surgeries. 5. Shaquille O’Neal is at least 6 feet and 5 inches tall. 6. Oops! Half the class is late…The teacher would get mad. 7. Roy and Pam went home late. They must have gone out on a date. 8. Mindy is wearing a big smile. She must have won the lottery! 9. That lake must be polluted. 10. That boy has 6 fingers in his hand!