Observations and Inferences

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Observations and Inferences

• Two Tools Every Scientist Needs
• Charlottesville City Schools
• October, 2005

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Observation

• An observation is a fact learned directly
  through the senses.
• Sight, touch, smell, taste, and hearing
• Observations are personal experiences since they
  are influenced by your past experiences.
• The more we observe, the more we learn.

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Inferences

• Inferences are conclusions and explanations about
  events that are not directly observed.
• Inferences are based on observations.
• Scientists often make more than one inference to
  explain an observation.
• New observations can either support or negate
  inferences.

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Lets make an observation

• You will have 30 seconds to observe the next
  slide.
• After you have looked at the slide, write down
  your observations on your worksheet.
• Use as many details as possible
• Work quicklyyou will have I minute to complete
  all of your observations.
• Ready?
• Lets begin!

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Time is up!!!

• Lets share our observations, but be an active
  listenerdont repeat what was already stated.

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Now, lets make an inference.

• Using your observations, what sounds do you think
  you would hear if you were looking at the actual
  scene, not a picture of this scene?
• Lets make another observation of this scene.

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Did your second observation cause you to change
your thoughts about what you inferred you might
hear?
If you want to modify your inference, change it
now.
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Lets make another observation.
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Do you still think you will hear the same sounds?

Lets make another observation.
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How about now? Change your inference now if you
want.
Lets make one last observation
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What inferences can you make about the setting?
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Now lets look at something elsewhat do you see?
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Lets look at something else
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Look at the following figure.
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Now look at the next figure.
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Images used in this presentation were taken from
the followingBlock, J. Richard Yuker, Harold
(1989). Can You Believe Your Eyes? New York
Gardner Press.Banyai, Istvan (1995). RE-Zoom.
New York Viking.