introduction to observations and inferences

1. Methods Used by
Biologists

2. Inferences
 A conclusion or explanation
based on observations or prior
knowledge
 Considered indirect data
 Derived by reasoning

3. Observation
 The act or power of noticing
 Detection of something
 What you actually sense in
your experiment.
 5 senses
 Recorded events
 Direct data

4. Qualitative Observations
 Non-numerical data
 Words
 Diagrams
 Pictures/video
 Colors
 Odors
 Sounds

5. Quantitative Observations
 Numerical data
 Measurements
 Calculations
 Graphs
 Numerical data must have units!
 Raw data vs processed data