Ready to Launch!

This self-learning package will introduce you to the skill of inferencing based on ob-
servations done. This will enable you to demonstrate the skill of inferencing made from ob-
serving objects and events which will help you meet the basic human needs and improve living
standards.
Observation is the gathering of information through the five senses. Scientists use sight,
smell, hearing, taste, or touch to learn about our world. Inferences are important in science,
too. They are explanations for the observations you make. Inferences are based on your ex-
periences and what you know. Inferences can change when new observations are made.
This self-learning package will help you differentiate observations from inferences and make
use of observations in making inferences.

Aim at the Target!

This section will give you an idea of the skills or competencies you are expected
to learn.
This self-learning package generally aims to:
Describe the difference between observation and inference (SSP_RS7SPS1e-5)
Furthermore, it specifically aims to:
Utilize observation in making inferences about objects and events.
SELF-LEARNING PACKAGE IN

RESEARCH 7
Try This!

This part includes an activity that aims to check what you already know about the les-
son to take.
Direction: Observations can be made using our five senses. Evaluate the observations

UTILIZING OBSERVATION IN below and determine what senses are used.

MAKING INFERENCE 1.The powder is white and grainy.

Observations based on: ____________________________
2. The animals has four legs and barks.
Observations based on: ____________________________
3. There is a smoky smell outside.
Learning Competency: Observations based on: ____________________________
4. Erin is not in class today.
Describe the difference between observation Observations based on: ____________________________

and an inference (SSP_RS7SPS1e-5)

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Writer: Mona Liza M. Magallanes
 Keep This in Mind! Keep This in Mind!
In this portion, a new lesson will be introduced to you in various ways such as an ac- Definition of Inference
tivity, a situation, PowerPoint presentations and videos.  Inference refers to the conclusion drawn based on the facts and evidence available,
i.e. deductions are made as per the research made.
Activity
 Something you think is true based on observations.
Watch the video entitled, Observations vs. Inferences with the link below.
 An assumption that you make about something that you see, read, or experience.

Steps in Making Inferences:

1.Make use of the available information taken from the use of the five senses, including sci-
entific measuring tools (Observation).
2.Use your background information and experiences related to what you observe.
3. Consider the most logical alternatives.
4. Make assumptions/ scientific guesses.
5. Make conclusions based on the most reliable assumption.

Analysis
Link for the video: https://bit.ly/ObservationsvsInferences Direction: Believing that you have watched and understood the concept on the video..
Now is the time to assess what you have understood about the difference of observation
Definition of Observation and inference.
Observation means an act of monitoring, something, i.e. objects, units, persons, or any- 1. Now it’s your turn. Make 3 observations and 2 inferences based on the picture.
thing else, by using senses. In this process, the observer stays at the place of the survey and
observes the objects under consideration and notes down the observations himself. Basic
information you get by seeing, feeling, hearing, tasting, or smelling.

Steps in Making Observations:

1. Establish your objective or goal (what to observe, when to observe, how to observe/5
senses).
2. Decide the appropriate scientific measuring tool to be used.
3. Use as many senses as you can. Never taste unless you are told to do so.
4. When you pick something or when you are watching an event, think about how you can
use your senses to get information about that object or event.

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2. Answer the following questions: Application
A. What is the difference between observation and inference?
This section provides an activity which will help you transfer your new knowledge or
skill into real life situations or concerns.
B. What is necessary to make accurate observations? Direction: Copy your Answers (Observations based on) from the activity on Try this.
Write your inferences after based on the observations.
C. What is necessary to make reasonable inferences?

D. Why do some observations turn out to be wrong?

E. Why do some inferences turn out to be wrong?

Abstraction and Generalization

Now that you have learned about inferencing, this is now the time for you to solidify
your understanding and skill of the topic through the ideas stated below.

Reflect
This section will help you to think carefully and what the idea means for you and
your ongoing progress as a learner.
Reflect on this!
A smart person is: someone who can look at a situation and figure out what’s going
on; in other words, someone who can make good inferences.

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 Reinforcement & Enrichment Assess Your Learning

You have learned that you can make inferences if you have observations. Let's relax a This is a task which aims to evaluate your level of mastery in achieving the learning
competency .
bit for now! Enjoy this fun and awesome activity! Concept Check: Compare observation from inference by means of supplying the
information on the space provided.
Instruction: You are going to look at an image of fossilized footprints, but in stages
(View the image here: https://serpmedia.org/scigen/t1.2c.html).
BASIS FOR OBSERVATION INFERENCE
COMPARISON

Meaning

Purpose

Steps
1. On the first uncovered area, make observations. Using what you know, what are the
inferences you can make?

2. After uncovering the Area 2, there are two kinds of footprints. Make observations. You
might describe size, shape, direction, quantities, and distances. Using what you know, what
inferences can you make?

3. After uncovering Area 3, you can see even more footprints. There’s a lot of data now.
What can we observe and infer here? (Note: Be careful not to jump to conclusions about
what might have happened here, but you can form multiple hypotheses). Source of
Information

Type of Information
4. Finally, footprints moved even farther to the right but it's pretty different. Make additional Gathered
observations and then as many inferences as you can that you think are reasonable.
Credibility

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 References & Photo Credits

https://www.reference.com/science/measuring-tool-b57eb2e33189f6f7
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-5HCOUGDdg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBlR7taW9jk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arf71aREmgc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkB38ez4DPM
https://www.chatham-nj.org/cms/lib/NJ01000518/Centricity/Domain/670/Observations%
20vs.%20Inferences%20Mid.pdf
https://keydifferences.com/difference-between-observation-and-inference.html
https://serpmedia.org/scigen/t1.2.html
https://madaboutscience.weebly.com/observing-vs-inferring.html
Gore, Russel N. (n.d.). Research I Handbook: A Quick Guide to Scientific Handwriting.