What is the difference between an observation and an inference?

Observation vs Inference. Observation can be called as the process of gathering data and inference can be said to be a process of taking decisions about the gathered data. While Observation can be said to be a factual description, inference is an explanation to the collected data. read more

An inference draws conclusions based on evidence gathered through observation. The conclusion is reached logically on the basis of facts known to be true or assumed to be true. An inference can be seen as an interpretation of what is observed.An inference is an element of reasoning, an act of thinking. read more

Observation is more of recording or remarking an event or phenomena, whereas an inference is what you make of that observation or what conclusion you draw from it. An inference may or may not depend on the said observation only, it may involve other observations. read more