Obs er vati on vs.

Inf er en ce
“You can observe a lot just by
watching.” - Yogi Berra
What i s a n
obse rva tio n?
 When you observe, you become aware
of something using your senses.
 Your five senses are smell, taste, sight,
touch, and hearing.
 In an observation you simply describe
something you observe.
 An observation is a statement of fact
gathered by using your five senses.
Tw o Typ es o f
Obse rva tio n
QUALITATIVE
 Qualitative observations describe what
we observe using adjectives.
 “Qualitative” = quality (descriptive)

 Example: The flower has white petals.

 Example: The music is loud.
Two Types of
Observ ati ons
 QUANTITATIVE
 Quantitative observations measure what
we observe using numbers.
 “Quantitative” = quantity (numerical)

 Example: The flower has seven petals.

 Example: The volume was on 10 (max.).
Which is better?
 Qualitative descriptions tend to be more
subjective (dependant on the observer), while
quantitative are more objective (independent of
the observer).
 Scientists make quantitative observations,
which can be compared precisely and
objectively .

 Qualitative: The road is long. (describes)

 Quantitative: The road is 7 km long. (measures)
Extendin g our
Observ ati ons
 Sometimes scientists must make very
careful observations. There are some
things that cannot be observed using just
your senses. (Examples: radiation, sound
waves, planets, cells, etc.)
 Scientists use tools such as
microscopes, telescopes, satellites to
extend their senses.
 What i s a n i nference?
 An inference is an explanation for an observation
you have made.
 They require thought and are based on your past
experiences and prior knowledge.
 They are often changed when new observations
are made.
 Again, observations are information we gather
directly through our senses……Inferences help
explain those observations.
Here are so me
examp le s!
 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 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 so me
examp le s!
 Observation: the school’s 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.
Obse rva tio n
Record 5 observations about your science
classroom.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
List 3 i nfe rences
base d on yo ur
obse rva tio ns.
1.

2.

3.
Sc ie ntif ic Mo dels

 A scientific model is a representation of

an object or event that can be studied to
understand the real object or event.

 Examples include ball and stick models

in chemistry, drawings of sound waves,
and computer models of car designs and
weather patterns.
Myst ery Tu bes
 Observe the teacher’s Mystery Tube.
 Write down what you see and draw a
picture.
 Write your prediction or inference of what
is happening inside the tube.
 With a partner try to make a model of the
mystery tube.
 When done, check with real Mystery
Tube to see if you were right!