Negative control
Negative control (pronunciation: /ˈnɛɡətɪv kənˈtroʊl/) is a key concept in experimental design and statistical analysis. It refers to a type of control group that is not exposed to the experimental treatment or manipulation, and is used to assess the effect of the experimental conditions.
Etymology
The term "negative control" originates from the field of experimental science, where it is used to denote a group or condition that is not expected to produce a positive result. The word "negative" in this context refers to the absence of the experimental treatment, while "control" refers to its role in controlling for potential confounding variables.
Related Terms
- Positive control: A group or condition that is expected to produce a positive result, used to validate the experimental procedure.
- Control group: A group in an experiment that does not receive the experimental treatment, used as a benchmark against which other test results are measured.
- Experimental group: A group in an experiment that receives the experimental treatment.
- Confounding variable: A variable that influences both the dependent variable and independent variable, causing a spurious association.
Usage in Experimental Design
In an experiment, the negative control group is not exposed to the experimental treatment or manipulation. This group serves as a baseline that allows researchers to compare the effects of the treatment on the experimental group. The use of a negative control helps to account for other variables that might influence the outcome of the experiment, ensuring that any observed effects are due to the experimental treatment and not to other factors.
For example, in a drug trial, the negative control group might receive a placebo instead of the actual drug. If the drug is effective, the experimental group (which receives the drug) should show a significant difference in outcomes compared to the negative control group.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Negative control
- Wikipedia's article - Negative control
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