Inference or Observation

An observation is...

• information that tells the reader what science says about a topic or object.

• a statement that only scientists can make.

• information that is gathered using our senses, and may include the use of scientific tools an instruments.

• not really necessary to the scientific process.

Qualitative observations are...

• subjective observations, therefore not necessary in science.

• related to the quality of the event/object that you are observing.

• very detailed measurements that use scientific tools or instruments.

• something only used in the social sciences.

Quantitative observations are...

• difficult to incorporate in your science classroom.

• more important than qualitative observations.

• subjective, but still an important part of science.

• based on accurate numbers and measurements.

An inference is...

• an interpretation or an explanation of an observation.

• a very detailed observation.

• information that you create to fill in the gaps of your knowledge.

• a literary term that doesn't really mean anything in science.

Which of the following is strictly an observation without any inferences?

• The insect has a large, round body, 8 legs, a small head and two long proboscises attached to the head.

• The animal has a flat, round body.

• It has a large round section, a smaller round section, and several long, thin, segmented parts that might be attached to the underneath area.

• It's an animal.

Which of the following statements is an inference?

• It is grey.

• It is small.

• It is ugly.

• It is a tick.

Which of the following are quantitative observations of this picture?

• It has 8 long, thin, segmented parts coming from the center.

• It is small with a slightly rough appearance.

• It is flat.

• It is 1.3mm long.

Which of the following are qualitative observations of the picture?

• There are small, hair-like structures on the segmented parts of the thing in the picture.

• The segmented parts are about 100 microns thick and each segment about 200 microns long.

• The largest part is round and looks flattened.

• The tick is venomous.

Select all of the observations that could be made about this image.

• The plastic bags are floating in the deep ocean.

• There are 2 pale blue, irregular shapes with several small, white spots on a very dark background.

• The smoke from the pipe looked blue against the night sky.

• The overall shape made by the 2 blue irregular shapes is an x.

Select all of the inferences that could be made about this image.

• The blue shapes are made out of gas.

• The blue shapes are types of deep sea jellyfish.

• The blue shapes are an X-shaped radio galaxy.

• The blue shapes are beautiful.