Science Common Sense
490 - How do we make observations and inferences in science?
In science, we make observations and inferences like this:
- Observations: We look at something closely and take note of what we see, hear, feel, taste, or smell. This is like taking a picture with our eyes. We write down what we see.
- Inferences: We use what we observed to make smart guesses about what might be happening. This is like drawing a picture with our brain, using what we already know.
Example: If you see a plant with yellow leaves, your observation is "the leaves are yellow". Then, you might make an inference that "the plant might not be getting enough water" because you know that plants need water to stay healthy.
So, we make observations by looking closely and taking notes, and we make inferences by using what we know and making smart guesses.