Observation vs. Observation vs. InferenceInference

What is the What is the difference?difference?

Observation: An observation is made using one of the five

senses.

Inference: An inference is a conclusion or prediction based upon observations.

ObservationsObservationsYou must use at least one of the five You must use at least one of the five

senses!senses! SightSight TouchTouch HearingHearing SmellSmell TasteTaste

How Can I tell the difference?How Can I tell the difference?

If the statement is a characteristic If the statement is a characteristic made directly with one of the five made directly with one of the five senses it is an observation.senses it is an observation.

If the statement is a measurement If the statement is a measurement made with an instrument (a made with an instrument (a number with units) then it is an number with units) then it is an observation.observation.

How Can I tell the difference?How Can I tell the difference?

If the statement identifies an If the statement identifies an object or substance it is an object or substance it is an inference.inference.

If the statement includes a If the statement includes a number that is a prediction of number that is a prediction of future data than it is an inference.future data than it is an inference.

Meal ObservationsMeal ObservationsWrite 10 observations (2 for each of your senses) about a meal that you Write 10 observations (2 for each of your senses) about a meal that you

have. Write a brief description of what you had and make your have. Write a brief description of what you had and make your observations from the preparation, consumption, and clean up of the meal. observations from the preparation, consumption, and clean up of the meal.

DON”T FORGET A FULL HEADING! DON”T FORGET A FULL HEADING!

1.1. I saw…I saw…

2.2. I saw…I saw…

3.3. I tasted…I tasted…

4.4. I tasted…I tasted…

5.5. I smelled…I smelled…

6.6. I smelled…I smelled…

7.7. I felt…I felt…

8.8. I felt…I felt…

9.9. I heard…I heard…

10.10. I heard…I heard…

MeasurementMeasurementA measurement is an observation made A measurement is an observation made

by comparison to a standard.by comparison to a standard.

A standard mass – 1 gramA standard mass – 1 gramA standard length – 1 meterA standard length – 1 meterA standard volume – 1 literA standard volume – 1 liter

A standard length of time – 1 secondA standard length of time – 1 secondA standard unit of temperature – 1 A standard unit of temperature – 1 ooCC

MeasurementMeasurement

It is often made with the use of an It is often made with the use of an instrument that extends the instrument that extends the

senses.senses.

List an instrument that extends each List an instrument that extends each of the five senses.of the five senses.

Is this the snake your Is this the snake your partner saw?partner saw?

Is this the snake your Is this the snake your partner saw?partner saw?

Or… is this the snake your Or… is this the snake your partner saw?partner saw?

It is very It is very important to important to

make make detailed detailed

observationsobservations……

Which statement is the Which statement is the inference?inference?

The specimen is The specimen is pink in colorpink in color

The specimen is The specimen is moving its wings up moving its wings up and downand down

The specimen has a The specimen has a long nose, four legs long nose, four legs and a curly tailand a curly tail

The specimen is a The specimen is a flying pig.flying pig.

How Deductive are you?How Deductive are you?

Deductive reasoning:Deductive reasoning: Drawing conclusions Drawing conclusions from observationsfrom observations of the natural world by of the natural world by means of logical reasoning means of logical reasoning