1. Fact vs. Inference

2. What is an observation?
A. When you observe the world around you, you become aware of something using one of your senses. Your five senses are smell, taste, sight, touch, and sound. I These are called “qualitative observations”. Qualitative observations use your 5 senses.

3. Qualitative Observation
Sometimes scientists must make very careful observations. Often their senses are not good enough. There are some things that cannot be observed using just your senses. (Examples: radiation, sound waves, planets, cells, etc.)

4. Can you think of ways that scientists have solved this problem
Can you think of ways that scientists have solved this problem? How can scientists extend their senses?
Microscopes, Telescopes, satellites, etc.

5. Quantitative Observations
Quantitative Observations involve #’s. Examples are: time, dates, distance, amounts, etc.

6. Observations
On a sheet of paper, record 5 observations about someone in your science classroom. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

7. What is a fact?
Facts are irrefutable statements, truths, something which can be proven.
The sky is blue.
The flag in our classroom has 13 red and white stripes.

8. What is an inference?
When you infer, you make a mental judgment based on observations. Inferences cannot be directly observed. They require thought. For example, if you get up in the morning, look up at the sky and observe dark clouds, observe the air is cool and humid, and observe puddles on the ground, you might infer that it has recently rained.
Note: You did not see rain; you decided that it rained based on your observations. An inference is a statement based on your interpretation of the facts.

9. What are the differences?
Observations:
Facts
Senses – taste, touch, smell, sight, hear
If precise, shouldn’t change
Inferences
What you think is happening (prediction)
Situational
Can change

10. Examples Observations That plant is extremely wilted.
The car stopped running.
The White Sox are leading their division.
Inferences
That plant is extremely wilted due to a lack of water.
The car stopped running because it was out of gas.
The White Sox are leading their division because they are playing well right now.

11. Which one is used in the lab?
In the laboratory record observations, NOT inferences
Inferences may be used in writing conclusions

12. What observations and inferences can you make about the following pictures?

13. Fact vs Inference
On your paper make a T-chart. Title the column on the left - FACT. Title the column on the right – INFERENCE.
Number 1 – 2 – 3 under the fact column and 1 under the inference column. Do this 3 x. Draw a line under the 3 in each grouping which will separate your paper into thirds.