The document discusses the concepts of observations and inferences, emphasizing that observations are made using the senses to gather information, which can be qualitative or quantitative. It includes examples of both types of observations in relation to insects, photos, and emblems, and illustrates how inferences can be drawn based on observations. The document also provides questions to differentiate between qualitative and quantitative observations.

1. Observations vs.
Inferences
“Accuracy of observation is the equivalent of
accuracy of thinking.” ~ Wallace Stevens

2. ∗Using one or more of your five
senses to gather information
∗Noting and recording facts about
an experience
Observations

3. ∗ Qualitative Observation: A quality or
property of an experience or object being
observed that does not use numbers.
∗ Quantitative Observation: A quality or
property of an experience or object that
can be measured or expressed in numbers.
Types of Observations

4. ∗ The insect has many bristles on its legs.
∗ The average length of the insect is 14 mm.
∗ The insect is known to have live through temperatures as
low as seven degrees below zero.
∗ The insect has circular wings and equal numbers of legs on
each side of its body.
Observation Examples

5. ∗ The insect has many bristles on its legs.
∗ Qualitative Observation
∗ The average length of the insect is 14 mm.
∗ Quantitative Observation
∗ The insect is known to have live through temperatures as
low as seven degrees below zero.
∗ Quantitative Observation
∗ The insect has circular wings and equal numbers of legs on
each side of its body.
∗ Qualitative Observation
Check your work!
Observation Examples

6. ∗Conclusions based on evidence
from observations and reasoning
∗Inferences are used to help
explain observations.
∗Inferences are often change when
new observations are made
Inferences

7. ∗ Observation: The rose bush grew 17 inches in one year.
∗ Second Observation: A gardener put a white powder near
base of the rose bush.
Inference Examples

8. ∗ Observation: The rose bush grew 17 inches in one year.
∗ Possible Inferences
∗ It rained a lot during the year.
∗ The rose bush got a lot sunlight during the year.
∗ Very few insects attacked the rose bush during the year.
∗ Second Observation: A gardener put a white powder near
base of the rose bush.
∗ Possible Inference
∗ The rose bush grew 17 inches in one year because a fertilizer
was used around the bush.
Check your work!
Inference Examples

9. Study This Photo

10. A. How many people are in the photo?
B. What pattern was the clothing that the people in
the photo are wearing?
C. What is the profession of the people in the photo?
D. What color is the wheelbarrow in the photo?
E. How many different colors is the slide in the
photo?
F. Where was this photo taken?
Questions
Answer questions about the photo you studied.
Decide if each of the questions you answer uses a qualitative observation, quantitative observation

11. A. How many people are in the photo?
Two – Quantitative Observation
B. What pattern is the clothing that the
people in the photo are wearing?
Camouflage – Qualitative Observation
C. What is the profession of the people in the
photo?
Military (answers can vary) Inferences
D. What color is the wheelbarrow in the
photo?
Green – Qualitative Observation
E. How many different colors is the slide in
the photo?
Four – Quantitative Observation
F. Where was this photo taken?
A school (answers can vary) - Inference
Check your work!

12. Study This Photo

13. A. What words are listed on the blue cards in the photo?
B. What grade is taught in the classroom where the photo
was taken?
C. How many pieces of orange sentence strips are in the
photo?
D. What month was this photo taken?
E. What letters of the alphabet list can be seen at the top
of the photo?
F. How many red cards are on the calendar?
Questions
Answer questions about the photo you studied.
Decide if each of the questions you answer uses a qualitative observation, quantitative observation

14. A. What words are listed on the blue
cards in the photo?
Days of the week – Qualitative
Observation
B. What grade is taught in the classroom
where the photo was taken?
K-3 (answers may vary) - Inference
C. How many pieces of orange sentence
strips are in the photo?
2 – Quantitative Observation
D. What month was this photo taken?
August - Inference
E. What letters of the alphabet list can be
seen at the top of the photo?
R,S,T,U,V,W,X,Y & Z – Qualitative
Observation
F. How many red cards are on the
calendar?
10 – Quantitative Observation

15. Study This Emblem

16. A. What color was the border of the emblem?
B. Besides lightning bolts, what was the hand on the
emblem holding?
C. How many stars are on the emblem?
D. How many lightning bolts is the hand holding in the
emblem?
E. What is the main function (job) of the United States
Strategic Command?
F. Where would someone wear this emblem?
Questions
Answer questions about the photo you studied.
Decide if each of the questions you answer uses a qualitative observation, quantitative observation

17. A. What color was the border of the
emblem?
Yellow – Qualitative Observation
B. Besides lightning bolts, what was the
hand on the emblem holding?
Branch of leaves – Qualitative
Observation
C. How many stars are on the emblem?
12 – Quantitative Observation
D. How many lightning bolts is the hand
holding in the emblem?
3 – Quantitative Observation
E. What is the main function (job) of the
United States Strategic Command?
Space command for defense and spying
(answers may vary) - Inference
F. Where would someone wear this
emblem?
Answers will vary - Inference
Answers

18. Study This Emblem

19. A. How many people in the picture are wearing a hat?
B. How many purple blooms are on the flowers the man is
holding in the background of the picture?
C. What color are the handles of the vice located on the
wooden crate?
D. What vegetables can be seen near the bottom of the
picture?
E. What is the woman in the purple shirt doing?
F. Where was this picture taken?
Questions
Answer questions about the photo you studied.
Decide if each of the questions you answer uses a qualitative observation, quantitative observation

20. A. How many people in the picture are
wearing a hat?
Two – Quantitative Observation
B. How many purple blooms can be seen
on the flowers the man is holding in
the background of the picture?
Two – Quantitative Observation
C. What color are the handles of the
vice located on the wooden crate?
Orange - Qualitative Observation
D. What vegetables can be seen near
the bottom of the picture?
Radishes - Qualitative Observation
E. What is the woman in the purple
shirt doing?
Giving change after a purchase
(answers may vary) - Inference
F. Where was this picture taken?
Farmers Market (answers may vary) -
Inference
Answers