Question

An ecologist used a sample area to count the number of plants in a prairie. Describe an observation from the prairie sample study.

a) The size of the sample area
b) The number of individual plants counted
c) The species of plants present
d) The location of the sample area
Describe an inference from the prairie sample study.
a) The total number of plants in the prairie
b) The density of plants in the prairie
c) The age of the plants counted
d) The color of the plants in the sample
Describe a difference between any observations and any inferences in the prairie sample study.
a) Observations are facts, while inferences are conclusions drawn from observations.
b) Observations are made by scientists, while inferences are made by the general public.
c) Observations are always more accurate than inferences.
d) Observations and inferences are the same in this study.

Answer 1

In a prairie sample study, observations include size of the sample area, number of plants counted, species present, and location. Inferences include total number of plants, density, age, and color. Observations are facts, while inferences are conclusions.

Step-by-step explanation:

Observations in the prairie sample study may include: the size of the sample area, the number of individual plants counted, the species of plants present, and the location of the sample area.

Inferences from the prairie sample study may include: the total number of plants in the prairie, the density of plants in the prairie, the age of the plants counted, and the color of the plants in the sample.

A difference between observations and inferences in the prairie sample study is that observations are facts based on direct measurements or observations, while inferences are conclusions drawn from observations that may involve some interpretation or speculation.