Inference

TL;DR

Drawing conclusions or educated guesses from available evidence and observations.
Uses critical thinking and prior knowledge to interpret information that is not explicitly stated.
Applied across reading, problem-solving, decision-making, and scientific inquiry.

Definition

Inference refers to the process of drawing conclusions or making educated guesses based on evidence or observations. It involves using critical thinking skills to interpret information and make logical assumptions about what is not explicitly stated.

Explanation

Inference relies on interpreting observable cues and combining them with prior knowledge or experience to reach conclusions. Making an inference often requires considering multiple factors and perspectives, using critical thinking to weigh evidence, and recognizing that the conclusion is a logical assumption rather than an explicit fact. In scientific contexts, inferences drawn from observations and experiments are used to form hypotheses that can then be tested through further observation and experimentation.

Examples

Glass of water

One example of inference is when a person observes a glass of water on the table and infers that it was recently filled, based on the fact that the water is clear and not stagnant. This inference is made by drawing on past experiences and knowledge of how water behaves, as well as taking into account other factors such as the temperature of the room and the time of day.

Reading a novel

Another example of inference is when a person reads a novel and infers the emotions of a character based on their actions and dialogue. For instance, if a character is described as slamming a door and yelling, the reader may infer that they are angry or frustrated. This inference is made by using background knowledge and understanding of human emotions to interpret the text and make a logical assumption about the character’s state of mind.

Scientific inquiry

In the scientific method, researchers often make inferences based on their observations and experiments in order to form hypotheses and test them. For example, a scientist may observe that plants grow better in soil with a certain composition and infer that this composition is optimal for plant growth. This inference can then be tested through experiments and further observations, leading to new knowledge and understanding about the relationship between soil composition and plant growth.

Everyday judgment

Inference is also important in everyday life, as it helps individuals make judgments and decisions based on the information they have. For example, if a person observes that their friend is consistently late for appointments, they may infer that their friend has a problem with time management. This inference can then be used to make a decision about whether to continue making plans with this friend or to find a different solution, such as setting earlier meeting times.

Use cases

Reading and interpreting text
Problem-solving and decision-making
Scientific inquiry and research
Everyday judgments about people and situations

Notes or pitfalls

Inference requires critical thinking and a willingness to consider multiple factors and perspectives.
Inferences are logical assumptions based on available evidence and should be tested or revised when more information becomes available.

Scientific method
Hypothesis
Experiment
Observation
Critical thinking