Observation vs. InferencePreparing for Labs

Observation When describing something, use only

facts that you can see, feel, smell, taste and hear

This is not an opinion!!!!!

Qualitative vs. Quantitative Observations

Quantitative: Descriptions of how much› Observations are measurable and can be

made using instruments such as beakers, scales, rulers, ect.

› Use numbers› Quantity

Qualitative: Use adjectives to describe something› Quality

Examples: Qualitative or Quantitative

1. It is light green in color. 2. It taste sour. 3. One leaf is 9 cm long. 4. It makes a loud pop sound. 5. The mass of the computer is 1 1/2 kg. 6. It smells sweet. 7. The temperature of the room increases by

8 degrees C. 8. The flower clusters in 3 blooms. 9. Feels very rough. 10. The veins are 3 mm wide.

Inference Using your observations to explain

something A scientific opinion Ex.

› Observation: the grass on the school’s front lawn is wet

› Inference: it rained, a sprinkler is on, it is from the morning dew, a dog urinated on the grass

Examples

Examples