Observation and Observation and InferenceInference

ObservationsObservations►A noting and recording of…. A noting and recording of….

FACTSFACTS!!!!!! ►Uses all 5 senses.Uses all 5 senses.

►Example: Example: There is one TV in There is one TV in the room.the room.

ObservationsObservations

Observations must be Observations must be specificspecific and and accurateaccurate, not relative, so that it , not relative, so that it means the same to everyone. means the same to everyone. ►ExampleExample: :

Incorrect - the burning bag Incorrect - the burning bag smelled smelled nastynasty

Correct - the burning bag Correct - the burning bag smelled smelled similar to rotten eggssimilar to rotten eggs

Observations can be qualitative or quantitative

Qualitative observations - factual descriptions that do not use numbers

Example: Mr. Jones has blue eyes

Quantitative observations - factual descriptions that do use numbers

Example: Mr. Jones has two eyes

InferencesInferences►Conclusion based on Conclusion based on

something already known or something already known or believed to be true.believed to be true.

►Uses observations.Uses observations.

►Example:Example: She is wearing a She is wearing a coat, it must be cold outside.coat, it must be cold outside.

What do you observe?

What can you infer?

What do you observe?

What can you infer?

What do you observe?

What can you infer?

What do you observe?

What can you infer?

Tracks like these are common in parts of New England and in the southwestern

United States.

What do you OBSERVE?

What can you INFER?

Now what

do you think?

Infer what happened based on your observations.

What do you see?

How is this possible?

Is that a lake in the middle of the desert?

QualitativeWhat color was the number?

QuantitativeWhat number did you see?

Which line is the longest?

Which line is the shortest?

Is this right?

Or is this right?

Could this elephant be real?

Can you build these shelves?Can you build these shelves?

Does the square have sided Does the square have sided curves?curves?

Read this signRead this sign

Can you stack these blocks?Can you stack these blocks?

Can you build this?Can you build this?