What does "Negative Controls" mean?
Table of Contents
Negative controls are a tool used in scientific research to help ensure that any effects observed in a study are real and not just due to chance or other factors. A negative control is a situation where no effect is expected. This allows researchers to see what happens when there should be no effect, helping them understand their results better.
Why Use Negative Controls?
Using negative controls helps to find errors or biases in a study. When researchers compare their actual results to what happens in a negative control, they can see if something unexpected occurs. If the negative control shows no effect but the main study does, it adds confidence to the findings.
Methods in Research
Researchers use various methods with negative controls to improve their studies. Some methods help calculate the chance of finding false positives, which is when researchers think they found an effect when there is none. Other approaches estimate how many of the results might be due to misleading signals rather than actual effects.
Applications
Negative controls are useful in different fields, including health studies and proteomics, which is the study of proteins. They help scientists make sure their findings are reliable and can guide important decisions in areas like public health.