Observation & InferenceObservation & InferenceIn Understanding HistoryIn Understanding History

The “What” compared to the “Why”The “What” compared to the “Why”

What is Observation?What is Observation?•• Observation is the act of looking at a particular Observation is the act of looking at a particular

object, text, or individual and making an object, text, or individual and making an assumption.assumption.

•• We make observations using our 5 senses:We make observations using our 5 senses:–– SightSight–– SmellSmell–– SoundSound–– TasteTaste–– TouchTouch

•• Observations can be qualitative or quantitative Observations can be qualitative or quantitative

Qualitative ObservationQualitative Observation

•• These are a These are a descriptiondescription of what we seeof what we see•• QualitQualitative=Quality (or how something appears)ative=Quality (or how something appears)

•• Example: The bowl is Example: The bowl is redred•• Example: It Example: It feelsfeels like a newspaperlike a newspaper

Quantitative ObservationQuantitative Observation

•• These are the These are the numbernumber of items we observeof items we observe•• QuantitQuantitative=Quantity (number)ative=Quantity (number)

•• Example: The red bowl has Example: The red bowl has three yellow three yellow stripesstripes around it.around it.

•• Example: The paper item has Example: The paper item has six columnssix columnson the front.on the front.

Inferences?Inferences?

•• An inference explains your observationAn inference explains your observation•• An inference is based on prior or background An inference is based on prior or background

knowledgeknowledge

•• “Observations are information we gather “Observations are information we gather directly through our five senses…inferences directly through our five senses…inferences help explain those observations!”help explain those observations!”

Examples of Inference…Examples of Inference…

•• Observation: Observation: The floor in the doorway of class is wet.The floor in the doorway of class is wet.•• Possible Inferences:Possible Inferences:

–– There is a leak from the ceilingThere is a leak from the ceiling–– Someone spilled waterSomeone spilled water–– The janitor is preparing to scrub the floorThe janitor is preparing to scrub the floor

•• These are all possible explanations as to why the These are all possible explanations as to why the floor is wet. We know that ceilings sometimes floor is wet. We know that ceilings sometimes leak, people spill water, and water and soap are leak, people spill water, and water and soap are used to scrub floors used to scrub floors

A Couple Historical ExamplesA Couple Historical Examples•• What can we observe?What can we observe?•• It is a gun:It is a gun:

–– BarrelBarrel–– TriggerTrigger–– HammerHammer

•• It looks old:It looks old:–– Made of woodMade of wood–– No place for bullets to loadNo place for bullets to load–– Has some kind of rock on the Has some kind of rock on the

hammerhammer

A Couple Historical Examples…Cont’d.A Couple Historical Examples…Cont’d.

•• What can we infer?What can we infer?–– Most modern pistols are not Most modern pistols are not

made of woodmade of wood–– Most modern pistols have a Most modern pistols have a

clear location for loading clear location for loading bulletsbullets

–– Modern pistols DON’T have a Modern pistols DON’T have a rock on the hammerrock on the hammer

•• We can then use inference to We can then use inference to tell us that this is definitely an tell us that this is definitely an old weapon that uses a rock old weapon that uses a rock and metal in its operationand metal in its operation

A Couple of Historical Examples…Cont’d.A Couple of Historical Examples…Cont’d.

•• Now, using text, what can we observe?Now, using text, what can we observe?–– Looks like musicLooks like music–– Has two dates (1763Has two dates (1763--1816)1816)–– Talks about dying and eternity Talks about dying and eternity

A Couple of Historical Examples…Cont’d.A Couple of Historical Examples…Cont’d.

•• What can we infer?What can we infer?–– Belongs to an old traditionBelongs to an old tradition–– Is meant to be sung Is meant to be sung –– Used as part of a religious exercise or ceremony Used as part of a religious exercise or ceremony