Making Scientific ObservationsHow do scientists determine what something is?

What happens when you look closely at something?

How can you ask better questions?

Getting the Facts

Scientist often do a lot of detective work by making observations. They hunt down clues. They carefully look at things (evidence). They ask lots of questions. They formulate hypothesizes based on evidence collected.

Observations 1

1. Observation is contact with the world through the use of the senses.

2. Observation equips us with the material for thought, reflection and judgment.

3. Observers exposed to the same sense impressions do not necessarily see, hear, feel, taste or smell the same things.

4. Observation is influenced by experience, knowledge and emotion.

5. Attention plays an important part in observation.

Observations 2

6. One can be trained to be a more effective observer.

7. Some people are more reliable witnesses than others.

8. The trained observer sees significant details.

9. A sharp eye for details is an important skill for many professions: scientists, physicians, artists, instructors, accountants, among others.

Observations 3

There are two types of observations: Qualitative — descriptive observations without

measurements or numbers. Quantitative — descriptive observations with

measurement or numbers in it.

Quantitative observations are considered more reliable.

So just what is a fact?

A fact is an observation or an inference that is widely agreed upon by a group of people.

Fact: the glass has water in it.

So how is a fact different from an observation?

An observation is any information received directly by seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting or touching.

A fact is an observation which appears the same to all careful Observers, and therefore assumed to actually exist.

What’s an Inference?

It is a way of resolving doubt or solving a problem based on a reasonable conclusion from a small amount of data.

Inferences are explanations requiring thinking about observations.

Inference: This teen just got her driver’s

license.

Inference 1

1. We draw inferences on the basis of observations, or on conclusions drawn from previous observations.

2. Inference is the interpretation of facts. (Remember: A statement of fact is an observation statement that can be verified by the use of the senses.)

3. Valid inferences are based on sufficient and relevant evidence.

4. Do not confuse inferences with observations.

Comparing Facts & Inferences

Statement of fact Statement of inference

Made after observation or experience

Made anytime—before, during or after observation

Confined to what one observes; cannot be made about the future

Goes beyond what one observes; may concern the past, present or future

Limited number possible Unlimited number possible

High probability (not certainty as perception dependent on individual interpretive processes)

Represents some degree of probability

Tends to bring people together and further agreement

Tends to create distance between people and more likely to cause disagreement

What’s a hypothesis?

It is a prediction of the outcome of a given situation based on prior knowledge and prior observations.

Example

1. You may say, "My car does not start because the battery is low."

2. This is your first hypothesis.

3. You may then check whether the lights were left on, or if the engine makes a particular sound when you turn the ignition key.

4. You might actually check the voltage across the terminals of the battery.

5. If you discover that the battery is not low, you might attempt another hypothesis ("The starter is broken"; "This is really not my car.")

http://www.articlesweb.org/automotive/how-to-tune-up-a-car

http://www.thenewstrans.com/technology/tip-for-emergency-charge-dead-car-battery/

What’s a hypothesis?

How do you ask a question? Closed ended questions

Can be answered yes or no. Have a limited number of answers. These questions are restrictive and can be answered in a

few words. 

Examples: Can you give me an example? Could you be more specific? Are you looking for [topic]? Would you tell me more about [topic]? Is that correct/right/ok? How is this? Is it red?

How do you ask a question? Open ended questions

Cannot be answered yes or no These are questions that will solicit additional information

from the inquirer.  Sometimes called infinite response or unsaturated type

questions.  By definition, they are broad and require more than one or

two word responses. 

Examples: What kind of information are you looking for? What would you like to know about [topic]? What is it you want to know about? How will you use this information? Tell me how this problem arose? What are you trying to understand? What is your favorite memory?

Setting up your paper

1. Using a sheet of notebook paper create a table with four columns.

2. Label them A, B & C

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# A (1st Hypothesis)

B (2nd Hypothesis)

C (Correct Answer)

S

1

2

Rules

You must ask open ended questions. Close ended question will not be

answered. “What is it?” will not be answered.

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Procedure

1. In Column A you will write down your first hypothesis upon seeing the photograph.

2. After everyone has fill in Column A then instructor will answer questions.

3. After the question and answer session is over the fill your answer in Column B. It is okay if your answer is the same or if you have a new one.

4. When everyone is done instructor will give you the correct answer to write in Column C.

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Photo #Sample

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Photo #Sample

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Zipper

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Hairbrush

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Plastic Cup Lips

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Round Hairbrus

h

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Safety Pin

Spring

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Pencil

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Flashlight Handle

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Nail File

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Battery Top

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Safety Pin

Closure

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Light Bulb Base

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Tip of Kitchen

Matches

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Corner Edge of

Old Biology

Book

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Guitar String

Post

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Barbwire Barb

Photo #15

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Daffodil Ova

(Seeds)

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Ice

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Strawberry

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Big Leaf Maple

Leaf

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Big Leaf Maple

Leaf

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$2Or 8

Quarters

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Cotton Swabs

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Tire Tread

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Sponge

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Fork Prongs on Foil

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Dragonfly Head

Questions to answer:1. Did you have trouble asking questions that

were open-ended?

2. How often were your answers right before questions were asked?

3. How often were your answers right after asking questions?

4. Did your hypothesis change after questions were asked?

5. Would you have liked to ask more questions and if so, why?

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Questions to answer:

6. What is a hypothesis?

7. Why do you think scientists ask lots of questions?

8. Which kind of questions determined what the object was the quickest?

9. What is an inference?

10.What is a fact?

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Photo Credits:Portraits by Krista BlytheMacro photos by Lorraine L. Stratton