Thinking like a ScientistThinking like a Scientist
Part IPart I
ObservationObservation
Observation: information collected by using your
five senses: see, smell, taste, touch, hear.
Usually a fact- something that others would agree with.
NOT an opinion or conclusion
Observation: information collected by using your
five senses: see, smell, taste, touch, hear.
Usually a fact- something that others would agree with.
NOT an opinion or conclusion
What do you make observations about?What do you make
observations about? Color
Texture Size
Weight Shape Smell
Color Texture
Size Weight Shape Smell
Qualitative vs. QuantitativeQualitative vs. Quantitative
Qualitative: think “quality”. This is an observation that uses WORDS to describe something.
Quantitative: think “quantity”. This is an observation that uses NUMBERS to describe something.
Qualitative: think “quality”. This is an observation that uses WORDS to describe something.
Quantitative: think “quantity”. This is an observation that uses NUMBERS to describe something.
Tips…Tips…
Don’t use the word “like” when making an observation. That is not specific enough.
Ex. “It feels like marshmallows…”(What do marshmallows feel like? SAY
THAT!)
Don’t use the word “like” when making an observation. That is not specific enough.
Ex. “It feels like marshmallows…”(What do marshmallows feel like? SAY
THAT!)
InferenceInference
a conclusion you make based on your observations.
This is not FACT. This is now your perspective based on a set of information and others may agree/disagree.
a conclusion you make based on your observations.
This is not FACT. This is now your perspective based on a set of information and others may agree/disagree.
Observation or Inference?Observation or Inference?
The object is red. The object is an apple. The object smells sweet. The object is round. The object has a bruise. The object has a brown spot. The object has a mass of 200g.
The object is red. The object is an apple. The object smells sweet. The object is round. The object has a bruise. The object has a brown spot. The object has a mass of 200g.
Observations…Observations… The object is red. The object is an apple. The object smells sweet. The object is round. The object has a bruise. The object has a brown spot. The object has a mass of 200g.
The object is red. The object is an apple. The object smells sweet. The object is round. The object has a bruise. The object has a brown spot. The object has a mass of 200g.
InferencesInferences The object is red. The object is an apple. The object smells sweet. The object is round. The object has a bruise. The object has a brown spot. The object has a mass of 200g.
The object is red. The object is an apple. The object smells sweet. The object is round. The object has a bruise. The object has a brown spot. The object has a mass of 200g.