Author: cusd

Name _______________________________________ Date ______________ Period _______
Lab: Qualitative and Quantitative Observations
COORDINATED SCIENCE 1
Directions: The following activity is designed to improve your observational skills. Observation is a integral part of all scientific investigations. Observations can be either qualitative or quantitative..
Quantitative observations have to do with things that can be precisely measured. You are being asked for a number.
Qualitative observations have more to do with characteristics of what is being observed.
The first is generally considered more precise and is generally preferred in 'hard' science. Examples: Quantitative observation. 1) There are seven marbles on the table. They have a diameter of 1,5 centimeters. Qualitative observation: 2) There are a bunch of marbles on the table. They are blue in color, round in shape, and smooth to the touch.
Proceedure:
Identify an object of your choosing and list as many qualitative and quantitative observations about it as you can. Enter your observations in the space provided below (Table 1)
Your goal is to describe this object so that others will be able to identify it from your observations.
When you are finished you will exchange your descriptions with other students in the class.
Once you have exchanged your paper, try and identify the object using the student’s observations. Enter your guess in the space provided (Table 2)
Keep exchanging papers until the teacher tells you to stop.
When we return the classroom we will see how many people were able to identify your object using your observations.

TABLE 1: OBSERVATIONS
Qualitative observations	Quantitative observations

OBSERVATIONS (continued)
Qualitative observations	Quantitative observations

TABLE 2: STUDENT GUESSES
Student Name	Guess (what was the object)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.