Observation v. Inference

What is an observation?

• Use one or more of the 5 senses to gather information

• A noting and recording of…. FACTS!!!• Example: There is one TV in the room.

What is an inference?

• Logical interpretation based upon prior knowledge and experience

• Based upon observations• Example: When you entered the room, you

most likely inferred that the individual in the front of the room is the teacher.

What are the differences?

• Observation– Senses– Fact– If precise, shouldn’t change

• Inference– What you think is happening– Situational– Can change

Which one is used in lab?

• BOTH– In laboratory exercises, record observations NOT

inferences– Inferences may be used when writing the

conclusion in your lab report.• Let’s test your observation skills…

Take a good look at this picture- Write down all of your observations.

Questions

1. Are there cars parked on the sides of the road?2. What color is the pickup truck driving in the road?3. Any minivans around?4. What does the blue sign say?5. What's the speed limit?6. Are there any pedestrians on the road?

Look again.Can you answer any additional questions?

• 1. Are there cars parked on the sides of the road?– Yes

• 2. What color is the pickup truck driving in the road?– Blue

• 3. Any minivans around?– Yes

• 4. What does the blue sign say?– Yard Sale

• 5. What's the speed limit?– 35 mph

• 6. Are there any pedestrians on the road?– No

State which of the following are observations and which are inferences

1. There is a representation of a face on one side of the coin.2. The Latin word "Dei" means "God."3. The coin was made by deeply religious people.4. The date 1722 is printed on one side of the coin.5. The coin was made in 1722.6. The face on the coin is a representation of the nation'spresident.

State which of the following are observations and which are inferences

1. There is a representation of a face on one side of the coin.2. The Latin word "Dei" means "God."3. The coin was made by deeply religious people.4. The date 1722 is printed on one side of the coin.5. The coin was made in 1722.6. The face on the coin is a representation of the nation'spresident.

O

O

II

II

• Record your observations• Record your inferences

Practice

• Observations:– I hear people screaming– I smell cotton candy, popcorn, and hamburgers– I see a lot of people

• Inference =

• Look at these two sets of animal tracks.

• List 3 OBSERVATIONS• Make an INFERENCE

• Look at these two sets of animal tracks.

• List 3 OBSERVATIONS• Make an INFERENCE

• Look at these two sets of animal tracks.• List 3 OBSERVATIONS• Make an INFERENCE

List 3 OBSERVATIONSMake an INFERENCE

After you saw the whole picture would you go back to change any of your previous inferences?

• Yes– Didn’t get the whole picture so a few of the

previous inferences were wrong

What does this tell us about making inferences?

• That you can make them along the way but that you also need to look at the large picture before drawing final conclusions