What is Science? & Observation vs. Inference

What is Science? & Observation vs. Inference

What is an observation? A. When you observe, you become aware of something using one of your senses. Your five senses are smell, taste, sight, touch, and sound. In an observation you simply describe something as it appears. An observation is a statement describing a fact.

Observation In the space below, record 5 observations about your science classroom. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Qualitative Observation B. AQualitative observation is generally more subjective, as it relies on the gathering of information that is less easy to quantify, Examples include studies of human behavior.

Quantitative Observation • Quantitative research involves observations using tools and methods that allow results to be quantified in objective ways, usually using numbers or measurements.Examples include Microscopes, Telescopes, satellites, etc. .

Next you are going to get into groups of two, you will then decide who will be the observer and who will be the interviewer. Once you have decided you will turn your chairs to face your partner. The observer will be the only person looking at the smart board. You will each need paper and pencil for this activity.

Next you will trade places and the interviewer will ask a series of questions. You must write the question.

Question 1 • Are there cars parked on the sides of the road?

Question 2 • What color is the pickup truck driving in the road?

Question 3 • Are there any minivans around?

Question 4 • What was the sign on the utility pole?

Question 5 • What's the speed limit?

Question 6 • Are there any pedestrians on the road?

Question 7 • What color was the sign on the tree?

Answers • Yes • Yes • Yes • No Parking • 35 mph • No • Blue/Green

We will now repeat the process and the interviewer will now be the observer.

Questions • Now you will switch again. The interviewer must write the question.

Question 1 • How many cars were in the intersection?

Question 2 • Across the street, are there any parked cars on the side?

Question 3 • Can you describe at least one of the cars driving through the intersection?

Question 4 • Are there any potential witnesses?

Question 5 • What was this witness doing? Where was he?

Question 6 • What was the speed limit?

Question 7 • Was there anyone parked in the first parking spot?

Questions Asked • How many cars were in the intersection?Answer: 2 • Across the street, are there any parked cars on the side?Yes • Can you describe at least one of the cars driving through the intersection? • Are there any other potential witnesses?If they answer yes, ask the following question: What was this witness doing? Where was he?They should have noticed a person mowing a lawn across the street. • What was the speed limit?35 • Was there anyone parked in the first parking spot?No

What is an inference? • When you infer, you make a mental judgment based on observations. Inferences cannot be directly observed. They require thought. • For example, if you get up in the morning, look up at the sky and observe dark clouds, observe the air is cool and humid, and observe puddles on the ground, you might infer that it has recently rained. Note: you did not see rain; you decided that it rained based on your observations. An inference is a statement based on your interpretation of the facts.

List 3 inferences about the classroom 1. 2. 3.

Examples • Observations • That plant is extremely wilted. • The car stopped running • Inferences • That plant is extremely wilted due to a lack of water. • The car stooped running because it was out of gas.

More examples • What observations can we make about this picture? • What can we infer based on this picture?

What observations can we make from these pictures?

Making Observations: • On the next several slides make observations about the pictures you see.

Observation vs. Inference • On the next slide, state whether the statement is an observation or an inference.

There is a representation of a face on one side of the coin. 2. The Latin word "Dei" means "God." 3. The coin was made by deeply religious people. 4. The date 1722 is printed on one side of the coin. 5. The coin was made in 1722. 6. The face on the coin is a representation of the nation's president.

What is Science? & Observation vs. Inference