1. Observation Vs. Inference
A super quick overview

2. Observation There are two types of Observations
Observations are how we gather information with our 5 senses
Seeing
Hearing
Smelling
Tasting
Feeling
There are two types of Observations
Qualitative
Quantitative

3. Observations Qualitative observations describe what we observe
Qualitative = quality
These observations use adjectives
Examples:
Mrs Ganske’s nose has many freckles.
Tlaloc (out betta) is blue.

4. Quantitative observations measure what we observe
Quantitative = quantity (number)
Includes units
Think: meter, liter, gram, volume, area, temperature, humidity, etc
Examples:
This classroom has one window.
The raised bed vegetable garden is 1 meter x 2 meters.

5. Observations Both types of observations are valuable in science
Quantitative observations are more precise and more easily compared
The pianist played fortissimo loudly.
The pianist played fortissimo at 103dB.
Some things are easier to quantify than others. We can use things like surveys or other tools to quantify a quality.
On a scale of 1 – 10, how smelly was your brother’s shoe?

6. Inferences
Inferences are an explanation of an observation you have made.
An inference is not a fact; it is a possible explanation
Inferences are based on past experiences and prior knowledge
Inferences are often changed when new observations are made

7. Inferences Observation: Possible Inferences
The grass on the front lawn is wet
Possible Inferences
It rained
The sprinklers were on
There is dew on the grass
A dog peed on the grass
All of these inferences are possible explanations for why the grass is wet. Each inference is something I have observed before (prior experience / knowledge)

8. Prediction Sometimes people confuse inference and prediction.
Both are based on observations, past experiences and prior knowledge.
The big difference is:
To make an inference is to form a possible conclusion
To make a prediction is to state ahead of time what you think will happen

9. PRACTICE
Partner up
Share your homework from last week (collage of the characteristics of life)
Choose 1 picture from you partner’s collage to focus on. Write 5-8 observations about the picture (be sure to do both quantitative and qualitative observations)
Exchange observations with your partner. See if your partner can guess which picture you were describing
Repeat steps 3-5 until the teacher calls time
Now work together to write 3-5 inferences about two of the pictures you observed