2. What is Observation?
• Observation is the act of looking at a particular
object, text, or individual and making an
assumption.
• We make observations using our 5 senses:
– Sight
– Smell
– Sound
– Taste
– Touch
• Observations can be qualitative or quantitative
3. Qualitative Observation
• These are a description of what we see
• Qualitative=Quality (or how something appears)
Qualitative=Quality
• Example: The bowl is red
• Example: It feels like a newspaper
4. Quantitative Observation
• These are the number of items we observe
• Quantitative=Quantity (number)
Quantitative=Quantity
• Example: The red bowl has three yellow
stripes around it.
• Example: The paper item has six columns
on the front.
5. Inferences?
• An inference explains your observation
• An inference is based on prior or background
knowledge
• “Observations are information we gather
directly through our five senses…inferences
help explain those observations!”
6. Examples of Inference…
• Observation: The floor in the doorway of class is wet.
• Possible Inferences:
– There is a leak from the ceiling
– Someone spilled water
– The janitor is preparing to scrub the floor
• These are all possible explanations as to why the
floor is wet. We know that ceilings sometimes
leak, people spill water, and water and soap are
used to scrub floors
7. A Couple Historical Examples
• What can we observe?
• It is a gun:
– Barrel
– Trigger
– Hammer
• It looks old:
– Made of wood
– No place for bullets to load
– Has some kind of rock on the
hammer
8. A Couple Historical Examples…Cont’d.
• What can we infer?
– Most modern pistols are not
made of wood
– Most modern pistols have a
clear location for loading
bullets
– Modern pistols DON’T have a
rock on the hammer
• We can then use inference to
tell us that this is definitely an
old weapon that uses a rock
and metal in its operation
9. A Couple of Historical Examples…Cont’d.
• Now, using text, what can we observe?
– Looks like music
– Has two dates (1763-1816)
(1763-
– Talks about dying and eternity
10. A Couple of Historical Examples…Cont’d.
• What can we infer?
– Belongs to an old tradition
– Is meant to be sung
– Used as part of a religious exercise or ceremony
