Observations vs. Inferences

“Accuracy of observation is the equivalent of accuracy of thinking.” ~

Wallace Stevens

Using one or more of your five senses to gather information

Noting and recording facts about an experience

Observations

Qualitative Observation: A quality or property of an experience or object being observed that does not use numbers.

Quantitative Observation: A quality or property of an experience or object that can be measured or expressed in numbers.

Types of Observations

The insect has many bristles on its legs. Qualitative Observation The average length of the insect is 14 mm. Quantitative Observation The insect is known to have live through

temperatures as low as seven degrees below zero. Quantitative Observation The insect has circular wings and equal numbers of

legs on each side of its body. Qualitative Observation

Observation Examples

Conclusions based on evidence from observations and reasoning

Inferences are used to help explain observations.

Inferences are often changed when new observations are made

Inferences

Observation: The rose bush grew 17 inches in one year.

Possible Inferences It rained a lot during the year. The rose bush got a lot sunlight during the year. Very few insects attacked the rose bush during the year.

Second Observation: A gardener put a white powder near base of the rose bush.

Possible Inference The rose bush grew 17 inches in one year because a

fertilizer was used around the bush.

Inference Examples

Study This Photo

Answer questions about the photo you studied.Decide if each of the questions you answer uses a qualitative observation, quantitative observation or inference.

A. How many people are in the photo?B. What pattern was the clothing that the people

in the photo are wearing?C. What is the profession of the people in the

photo?D. What color is the wheelbarrow in the photo?E. How many different colors is the slide in the

photo?F. Where was this photo taken?

Questions

A. How many people are in the photo?

Two – Quantitative Observation

B. What pattern is the clothing that the people in the photo are wearing?

Camouflage – Qualitative Observation

C. What is the profession of the people in the photo?

Military (answers can vary) Inference

Answers

D. What color is the wheelbarrow in the photo?Green – Qualitative ObservationE. How many different colors is the slide in the photo?Four – Quantitative ObservationF. Where was this photo taken?A school (answers can vary) - Inference

Answers

Study This Photo

A. What words are listed on the blue cards in the photo?B. What grade is taught in the classroom where the

photo was taken?C. How many pieces of orange sentence strips are in

the photo?D. What month was this photo taken?E. What letters of the alphabet list can be seen at the

top of the photo?F. How many red cards are on the calendar?

Questions

A. What words are listed on the blue cards in the photo?

Days of the week – Qualitative Observation

B. What grade is taught in the classroom where the photo was taken?

K-3 (answers may vary) - Inference

C. How many pieces of orange sentence strips are in the photo?

2 – Quantitative Observation

Answers

D. What month was this photo taken?

August - Inference

E. What letters of the alphabet list can be seen at the top of the photo?

R,S,T,U,V,W,X,Y & Z – Qualitative Observation

F. How many red cards are on the calendar?

10 – Quantitative Observation

Answers

Study This Emblem

A. What color was the border of the emblem?B. Besides lightning bolts, what was the hand on

the emblem holding? C. How many stars are on the emblem?D. How many lightning bolts is the hand holding in

the emblem?E. What is the main function (job) of the United

States Strategic Command?F. Where would someone wear this emblem?

Questions

A. What color was the border of the emblem?

Yellow – Qualitative Observation

B. Besides lightning bolts, what was the hand on the emblem holding?

Branch of leaves – Qualitative Observation

C. How many stars are on the emblem?

12 – Quantitative Observation

Answers

D. How many lightning bolts is the hand holding in the emblem?

3 – Quantitative Observation

E. What is the main function (job) of the United States Strategic Command?

Space command for defense and spying (answers may vary) - Inference

F. Where would someone wear this emblem?

Answers will vary - Inference

Answers

Study This Emblem

A. How many people in the picture are wearing a hat?B. How many purple blooms are on the flowers the

man is holding in the background of the picture?C. What color are the handles of the vice located on

the wooden crate?D. What vegetables can be seen near the bottom of

the picture?E. What is the woman in the purple shirt doing?F. Where was this picture taken?

Questions

A. How many people in the picture are wearing a hat?

Two – Quantitative Observation

B. How many purple blooms can be seen on the flowers the man is holding in the background of the picture?

Two – Quantitative Observation

C. What color are the handles of the vice located on the wooden crate?

Orange - Qualitative Observation

Answers

D. What vegetables can be seen near the bottom of the picture?Radishes - Qualitative ObservationE. What is the woman in the purple shirt doing?Giving change after a purchase (answers may vary) - InferenceF. Where was this picture taken?Farmers Market (answers may vary) - Inference

Answers