What is the Difference Between Positive and Negative Control?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between positive and negative controls lies in their purpose and the expected outcomes in an experiment. Here is a summary of their differences:
Positive Control:
- Used to assess the test validity of the experimental protocol or equipment by producing the expected result.
- Helps in understanding that the experiment was performed properly.
- Typically a treatment that is known to produce results similar to the hypothesis.
- Not expected to produce any result due to any variable in the experiment.
- Increases the reliability of the experimental set-up.
Negative Control:
- Characterized by the absence of reagents or components necessary for successful analyte detection.
- Not expected to change from any variable in the experiment.
- Used to show that any observed positive effects of the treatment are not due to other variables in the experiment.
In an experiment for a new medication to treat acne, for example, a negative control group would be given a placebo, while a positive control group would be given a proven medication already on the market. The positive control is expected to produce results similar to the hypothesis, which in this case would be a reduction in acne. The negative control is used to show that any positive effects of the new treatment aren't due to other variables in the experiment. Including both positive and negative controls in an experiment helps improve the validity and reliability of the results.
Comparative Table: Positive vs Negative Control
The difference between positive and negative controls can be summarized as follows:
| Positive Control | Negative Control |
|---|---|
| Designed to confirm a known response in an experimental design | Ensures there's no effect and serves as a baseline for comparison |
| Used to assess the test validity of the experimental protocol or equipment | Characterized by the absence of reagents or components necessary for successful analyte detection |
| Receives a procedure or treatment known to produce a positive outcome | Does not receive the procedure or treatment and is used to ensure that the outcome isn't accidental or influenced by an external cause |
For example:
- In testing an antibiotic, a well-known pathogen susceptible to the medicine could be the positive control.
- Distilled water could be used as a negative control in a medical test, anticipating no reaction, to ensure that the outcome is not influenced by any external factors.
In summary, positive controls are used to confirm that the experiment is functioning correctly and can produce positive results when they are present. On the other hand, negative controls ensure that the outcome is not accidental or influenced by external causes.
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