Hypotheses, Observations, Inferences

What is an inference? 

• Just a random guess
• A prediction or logical conclusions about our observations
• The same as an observation
• deciding if an observation is qualitative or quantitative

Choose 2 inferences about this picture.

(select all that apply)

• Today is the dog's birthday.

• There is a candle on the cake.

• The dog has a tag on the collar.

• The dog will eat the cake.

Observation or Inference: I think the weather is cold.

• Observation

• Inference

Observation or Inference: I notice the tree by the pond has no leaves on it.

• Observation

• Inference

Which two of these can be observations about a gorilla?

(select all that apply)

• The gorilla wants a bigger banana.

• The gorilla has 5 fingers on his right hand.

• The gorilla is hungry.

• The gorilla has dark brown hair.

What observation could be made about the picture.

• The child is feeling cold.

• The child will play outside.

• The child is dressed with many clothes

• The child will stay warm while he is outside.

What inference could be made about this picture.

• The child is wearing mostly red.

• This is a child.

• The child is cold.

• The child is overdressed.

A scientist discovers the body of an unknown species of frog in the rain forest of Brazil.  She writes several statements in her journal about the animal shown above.  Which of the following is an observation about the frog?

• The frog might be poisonous because it is very brightly colored.
• It has a mass of 22.4 grams.
• The frog is probably a tree climber because it has large, round toe pads.
• I think the frog is a species of poison dart frog because of its size and color.

A student placed 50 mealworms in the middle of an aquarium containing a light, a cardboard tube and a water dish.  He waited five minutes and then recorded the data for the first trial in the table above.  The student repeated this procedure two more times, and recorded the results.  Read the results of all three trials.  Which inference could you make about mealworms based on the results.

• The mealworms probably prefer the darkness of a cardboard tube.
• There were 6 mealworms under the light in trial 2. 
• Mealworms love water. 
• There were 36 more mealworms in the cardboard tube versus the light in trial 3.

Using any of your senses to state a fact about the world around you.

• Observation

• Inference

• Prediction

• Logical Theory