Observation vs Inference
An observation is based on factual information that can be found through the use of the 5 senses: touch, taste, smell, sight, hearing. An inference is a guess or conclusion that is made after something is observed.
1. The clouds mean it is going to rain today.
- the clouds have been observed by sight and a guess has been made that it will rain as a result of this observation. Therefore it is an Inference.
It's rainy and cold.
- both of these are factual information based on the 5 senses. Rain can be seen by sight and you can feel whether something is hot or cold, Therefore it is an Observation.
The grass is going to get very green after the rain.
- The rain can be observed by sight but there is a guess that the grass will become very green. There was an observation and a inference made upon that observation. Therefore it is an Inference.