Observations, Inferences, Predictions Flashcards
What can help us make observations that are more precise
Technology
What do we use to observe
Our five senses
Qualitative observation
Observations that describe something. They are not always exact
Quantitative observations
Observations that involve numbers. They are more precise
Data
The info a scientists collects
Observation
Using the senses to collect data about a particular event or phenomenon as it occurs during an experiment or in nature
When is the world more enjoyable
When the things around us are understandable
Inference
Logical explanations of what you see. They are attempts to explain what is happening or what has happened. They are observations that help make sense of our environment
When are inferences changed
When new observations are made and new data is collected
Why are not all inferences reliable
You don’t haw enough data
Prediction
To make a forecast of what will happen in the future based on prior experience, knowledge, or evidence
Why aren’t all predictions reliable
There may be a different outcome
How are inferences and predictions related
Inferences are attempts to explain what is happening or what has happened. Predictions are forecasts of what will happen.
