Observation vs. InferencesObservation vs. Inferences

Earth ScienceEarth Science

ObservationObservation

Information about an object or action Information about an object or action that is generated by using one’s that is generated by using one’s sensessenses

Something that you see, hear, taste, Something that you see, hear, taste, smell or touch. smell or touch.

2 Types of observations2 Types of observations

QualitativeQualitative An observation using relative An observation using relative

terms or terms or wordswords that produce a that produce a general descriptiongeneral description

Examples: Examples:

It’s sunny, windy, fast, slow, It’s sunny, windy, fast, slow, green, etc.green, etc.

2 Types of observations2 Types of observations

QuantitativeQuantitative An observation expressed in An observation expressed in

absolute terms or words with absolute terms or words with numeric numeric valuesvalues or defined characteristics or defined characteristics

Examples:Examples:It’s 73It’s 73ooF, a 15 mph wind, 11:09 pm, etc.F, a 15 mph wind, 11:09 pm, etc.

InferenceInference A statement or judgment that is A statement or judgment that is

made using the information made using the information gathered by an observation.gathered by an observation.

An attempt to explain your An attempt to explain your observations. - The “likely” observations. - The “likely” reason.reason.

What’s This?What’s This?The organism has legs that The organism has legs that

are much longer than its are much longer than its short arms.short arms.

ObservationObservation

What’s This?What’s This?The organism has brown fur The organism has brown fur

similar to that of a bear.similar to that of a bear.

ObservationObservation

What’s This?What’s This?The organism probably uses The organism probably uses

the fur to stay warm in this the fur to stay warm in this cold environment.cold environment.

InferenceInference

What’s This?What’s This?The organism was not aware The organism was not aware

of my presence because it of my presence because it did not run away.did not run away.

InferenceInference

What’s This?What’s This?The organism must be sick The organism must be sick

because he is barely moving.because he is barely moving.

InferenceInference

What’s This?What’s This?The organism picks up food The organism picks up food

using a long tongue that using a long tongue that reaches the ground. reaches the ground.

ObservationObservation

example:example:

Observation vs. InferenceObservation vs. Inference

Observation:Observation:

–There are There are small small footprints in footprints in the snow.the snow.

Inference:Inference:

–A girl walked A girl walked through the through the snow here.snow here.

Make one observation and one Make one observation and one inference about the pictureinference about the picture

Stage 1

Make one observation and one Make one observation and one inference about the pictureinference about the picture

Stage 2

Make one observation and one Make one observation and one inference about the pictureinference about the picture

Stage 3

ReviewReview ObservationObservation

–Something Something that you that you see, hear, see, hear, smell, taste smell, taste or touch.or touch.

InferenceInference–An attempt to An attempt to

explain your explain your observations.observations.

The EndThe End