The intent of the "log" form is for observers to describe the math pedagogy they observe very objectively, leaving out any language of judgment (e.g., rather than record "the teacher asked a confusing question," simply write out or paraphrase the teacher’s question). To the extent observers can follow these guidelines, the instrument is relatively lower inference. For the "topic" form, observers are asked to summarize what they saw. This part of the observation is asking for observers’ professional judgment and thus is higher inference, although the judgments are supposed to be supported by lower-inference evidence taken from the log narrative.