1. Observations vs. Inferences
“You can observe a lot just by watching.”
-Yogi Berra

2. Observations Qualitative Quantitative five senses:
An observation is any information that is collected using our
Sight
Hearing
Touch
There are two types of observations
five senses:
Smell
Taste
Qualitative
Quantitative

3. Qualitative Observations
“Qualitative” = quality (descriptive)
Qualitative observations what we observe, but are not able to be measured.
These observations use to describe something.
Example: The flower has white petals.
Example: Mrs. Jones has green eyes.
describe
adjectives

4. Quantitative Observations
“Quantitative” = quantity (counting)
Quantitative observations what we observe.
These observations use to measure something in a quantitative way.
Example: The flower has seven petals.
Example: Mrs. Jones has two eyes.
measure
numbers

5. I NFERENCE D E A
bservation

6. You can’t INFER it, if you don’t OBSERVE it!
Inferences
After we make observations, our brain makes logical about what we’ve observed.
Inferences are an for an observation you have made.
They are based on your experiences and knowledge.
Inferences are often changed when new observations are made.
Again, observations are information we directly through our five senses….inferences help those observations!
You can’t INFER it, if you don’t OBSERVE it!
conclusions
explanation
past
prior
gather
explain

7. Predictions are about the future.
Weathermen predict the weather.
Inferences are ideas about the past.
Forensic scientists (CSI agents) infer about a crime scene.
Observations are critical for inferring.

8. Here are some examples!
Observation: The school fire alarm is going off.
Possible inferences:
The school is on fire.
We are having a fire drill.
A student pulled the fire alarm.
These inferences are all logical explanations for why the fire alarm is going off.

9. Here are some examples!
Observation: 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 and the observation that the grass is wet. We have all seen rain, sprinklers, morning dew, and dogs going to the bathroom in the grass.

10. Last one!
Observation: A student is sitting outside the principal’s office.
Possible inferences: ?
Why might a student be sitting there?

11. I infer the grad thinks the car is his gift, because I saw/ heard….
I infer the dog killed the cat, because I saw/ heard….
I infer the grad thinks the car is his gift, because I saw/ heard….

12. p. 4

13. I think (infer)… because I observe…..

14. I think (infer)… because I observe…..

15. I think (infer)… because I observe…..

16. Practice first Frame 1 Make 3 separate observations for each frame:
Qualitative & Quantitative

17. Make 3 separate observations for FRAME 1 : Qualitative & Quantitative
Use the compass rose to describe your observations
Make ONE inference based on your 3 observations

18. Make 3 separate observations for FRAME 2 : Qualitative & Quantitative
Use the compass rose to describe your observations
FRAME 2

19. Make 3 separate observations for FRAME 3 : Qualitative & Quantitative
Use the compass rose to describe your observations

20. Which is better? precise accurate
Both types of observations are valuable in science. In an experiment though, quantitative observations are more
and
Qualitative: The road is long. (describes)
Quantitative: The road is 5 km long. (measures)
precise
accurate

21. For example, someone might say that a dead fish is smelly.
It is hard to know just how smelly the fish is though.
To make this quantitative, the scientist could ask the person to rate the “smelliness” on a scale of 1-5.
This would then allow you to compare how smelly the fish is!

22. Crazy Candid Candle Observation
Directions:
Draw or take notes (or both)
of what you observe Mrs. Jones do with all the candles.
Observations are qualitative (descriptive) or quantitative (counted).
Don’t forget your senses for the qualitative observations:
what you hear, smell, see…
Once I begin….there can be no
talking or noises.
There can be no questions afterwards.

23. Candle = ? Wick = ?. Conclusion
Now that you’ve seen the crazy candle trick…
Use your OBSERVATIONS and notes to write
Candle = ? Wick = ?.

24. I infer because I observe…..

25. I infer because I observe…..

26. I infer because I observe…..