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Observations vs. Inferences

   “You can observe a lot just by watching.”

                           -Yogi Berra
Observations

• An observation is the gathering of information
  by using our five senses:
    Sight
    Smell
    Hearing
    Taste
    Touch


• There are two types of observations
    Qualitative
    Quantitative
Qualitative Observations

• Qualitative observations describe what we
  observe.
• “Qualitative” = quality (descriptive)
• These observations use adjectives to describe
  something.

• Example: The flower has white petals.
• Example: Mr. M has blue eyes.
Quantitative Observations

• Quantitative observations measure what we
  observe.
• “Quantitative” = quantity (numerical)
• These observations use numbers to measure
  something in a quantitative way.

• Example: The flower has seven petals.
• Example: Mr. M has two eyes.
Which is better?

• Both types of observations are valuable in
  science. In an experiment though, quantitative
  observations can be precisely and objectively
  compared.
Qualitative: The road is long. (describes)
Quantitative: The road is 5 km long. (measures)

• Some things are easier to quantify than others.
  Scientists use innovative ways of turning
  qualitative into quantitative.
Which is better?

• 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!
Inferences

• Inferences are an explanation for an
  observation you have made.
• They are based on your past experiences and
  prior knowledge.
• Inferences are often changed when new
  observations are made.
• Again, observations are information we gather
  directly through our five senses….inferences
  help explain those observations!
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. We have all seen rain,
  sprinklers, morning dew, and dogs going to the
  bathroom.
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.

• Again, these are all logical explanations for why
  the fire alarm is going off.
Last one!

• Observation: A student is sitting in the main
  office.
• Possible inferences:




                         ?
Why might a student be sitting there?

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Observations vs-inferences2071

  • 1. Observations vs. Inferences “You can observe a lot just by watching.” -Yogi Berra
  • 2. Observations • An observation is the gathering of information by using our five senses:  Sight  Smell  Hearing  Taste  Touch • There are two types of observations  Qualitative  Quantitative
  • 3. Qualitative Observations • Qualitative observations describe what we observe. • “Qualitative” = quality (descriptive) • These observations use adjectives to describe something. • Example: The flower has white petals. • Example: Mr. M has blue eyes.
  • 4. Quantitative Observations • Quantitative observations measure what we observe. • “Quantitative” = quantity (numerical) • These observations use numbers to measure something in a quantitative way. • Example: The flower has seven petals. • Example: Mr. M has two eyes.
  • 5. Which is better? • Both types of observations are valuable in science. In an experiment though, quantitative observations can be precisely and objectively compared. Qualitative: The road is long. (describes) Quantitative: The road is 5 km long. (measures) • Some things are easier to quantify than others. Scientists use innovative ways of turning qualitative into quantitative.
  • 6. Which is better? • 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!
  • 7. Inferences • Inferences are an explanation for an observation you have made. • They are based on your past experiences and prior knowledge. • Inferences are often changed when new observations are made. • Again, observations are information we gather directly through our five senses….inferences help explain those observations!
  • 8. 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. We have all seen rain, sprinklers, morning dew, and dogs going to the bathroom.
  • 9. 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. • Again, these are all logical explanations for why the fire alarm is going off.
  • 10. Last one! • Observation: A student is sitting in the main office. • Possible inferences: ? Why might a student be sitting there?