Let's Make Some Observations Lab Activity
Page 8 of 10
Like we've already discovered, an observation tells what happens during a single event (or during a few events). Let's talk briefly about three more terms: inference, hypothesis, and scientific hypothesis.
An inference is a conclusion based upon observation and past experience. A hypothesis is a tentative explanation for a single event (or for few events). Whereas an observation tells WHAT happens, a hypothesis attempts to explain WHY it happens. We can say that a hypothesis is a kind of inference because forming a hypothesis requires forming a conclusion. A scientific hypothesis is just a hypothesis which can be tested with reproducible experimentation. |
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Now, let's see if you can differentiate among observations, inferences, (non-scientific) hypotheses, and scientific hypothesis. Below, you will see the "Observation, Inference, (Non-Scientific) Hypothesis and/or Scientific Hypothesis?" self-quiz. The quiz consists of ten statements about the PICTURE at the LEFT. Based upon what you see in the picture, and based upon what we have learned so far, decide if each statement about the picture can most accurately be described as an observation, an inference, a (non-scientific) hypothesis, and/or a scientific hypothesis. You should select ALL options which are correct for each statement. |
Observation, Inference, (Non-Scientific) Hypothesis and/or Scientific Hypothesis?
Scroll to the top of the page and read the material BEFORE you attempt the quiz. Then, read each statement about the PICTURE and decide if that statement can best be classified as an observation, an inference, a (non-scientific) hypothesis, and/or a scientific hypothesis. Select ALL that are correct.
- The person on the left is taller than the person on the right because the person on the right doesn't get enough vitamin D in his or her diet.
- The people in this picture are playing.
- The people in this picture are sad.
- The person on the left is taller than the person on the right.
- The floor is shiny because it is made out of ice.
- The two people are carrying something between them.
- The person on the left doesn't want the person on the right to run away.
- The object between the two people is translucent because it is cotton candy.
- The people in the picture are American children.
- The far end of the hallway has a double door.
Did you have trouble determining which statements were inferences-only and which statements were both inferences and hypotheses? If you struggle with the two concepts, it is for good reason; if you recall the definitions from above, an inference is a conclusion, and a hypothesis is an explanation. An explanation IS a form of conclusion. In fact, every explanation must be a conclusion. However, not every conclusion is an explanation. For example, the statement "The people in the picture are sad" is a conclusion, but it does NOT attempt to explain anything as far as I can tell. So, the statement is an inference, but it is not a hypothesis.
Remember: In this lab activity, we are trying to make good OBSERVATIONS. So, at this point, it is important that you can easily determine which statements in the self-quiz are observations, AND it is important to remember that we want to list observations, not inferences or hypotheses in this activity.
Remember: In this lab activity, we are trying to make good OBSERVATIONS. So, at this point, it is important that you can easily determine which statements in the self-quiz are observations, AND it is important to remember that we want to list observations, not inferences or hypotheses in this activity.