Observation vs. Inference Name____________________________________
Part 1. List the 5 senses.
3. __________________________ 4. _________________________
5. __________________________
Part 2. Look at the following list of 10 objects. For each object, list something that you might observe. Next, list the sense you would use to make this observation.
Example
Perfume It has a pleasant aroma smell
1. a bird singing _______________________ __________________
2. a hot stove _______________________ __________________
3. an airplane above clouds _______________________ __________________
4. Fireworks _______________________ __________________
5. a pin prick _______________________ __________________
6. chocolate _______________________ __________________
7. fur _______________________ __________________
8. Rotten eggs _______________________ __________________
9. a painting _______________________ __________________
10. ammonia _______________________ __________________
Part3. All of the observations in Part 2 were qualitiative observations. You described a QUALITY of an object. In science, we use a lot of quantitative observations. Scientists describe the amount or QUANTITY of an object. Please determine which of the statements below are QUALITATIVE or QUANTITATIVE.
1. The cup had a mass of 454 grams. _____________________________
2. The temperature outside is 25o C. _____________________________
3. It is warm outside. _____________________________
4. The tree is 10 meters tall. _____________________________
5. The building has 25 stories. _____________________________
6. The building is taller than the trees. _____________________________
7. The sidewalk is long. _____________________________
8. The sidewalk is 100 meters long. _____________________________
9. The race was over quickly. _____________________________
10. The race was over in 10 minutes. _____________________________
Part 4. Suppose your friends went to the beach at noon on a warm day. They saw some black and white birds. Which of the following statements are observations and which are inferences?
1. It is summertime. ______________________________
2. It is daytime. ______________________________
3. They saw birds. ______________________________
4. They saw seagulls. ______________________________
5. They went swimming. ______________________________
6. One friend’s name was Bob. ______________________________
7. It was a warm day. ______________________________
8. The birds were black and white. ______________________________
9. They ate lunch and drank soda pop. ______________________________
10. The people are friends. ______________________________