John Hay
John Hay Biomedical
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Principles of Biomedical Technology (Principles of Biomedical Science)
Unit 1: Unit 1.1 to 1.2 Evidence & BiomoleculesPBS 1.1-1.2Biotechnology Research and Experiments

Design An Evidence Test

Design a fair evidence test with a sample, positive control, negative control, and clear result rule.

Builds on (2 levels back)inferred · high confidence
  • Read a data table: Students need to find values, labels, and units before calculating or graphing.
  • Fair-test logic: Variables and controls make comparisons meaningful.

Prerequisites are inferred: pending teacher review.

Re-learn the skill with worked practice and clear examples.

Design a fair evidence test with a sample, positive control, negative control, and clear result rule.

Step 1: Learn the key
A good evidence test includes a [blank] control, a negative control, the unknown [blank], and a clear result [blank].
Test plan partExample
QuestionIs starch present?
Positive controlKnown starch solution
Negative controlWater
SampleUnknown food extract
Evidence test design table
Step 2: Use the model
Read the figure, table, control, range, or protocol before choosing an answer.
Step 3: Name the limit
Say what the evidence can support and what it cannot prove yet.
Practice

Use the evidence test table. Why include water as a negative control in a starch test?

Reviewed
Test plan partExample
QuestionIs starch present?
Positive controlKnown starch solution
Negative controlWater
SampleUnknown food extract
Evidence test design table
  1. A.It should stay negative, showing the test does not turn positive by itself
  2. B.It should contain starch
  3. C.It replaces the unknown food
  4. D.It makes the graph easier to color
Show the worked solution ▾

Answer: A. It should stay negative, showing the test does not turn positive by itself

  1. Step 1: Read the table: Water is listed as negative control.
  2. Step 2: Explain its job: It should not show the target, so it checks background signal.

Why it's right: A negative control checks for false positive signal.

Why the others miss:
  • B: Water should not contain starch in this test.
  • C: It does not replace the unknown.
  • D: Graph color is irrelevant.

Aligned to Biotechnology Research and Experiments · reading level ~grade 9

Where you'd see this
  • In Unit 1.1 to 1.2 Evidence & Biomolecules, this skill turns class evidence into a result another person can check.
Careers that use this
Biomedical Data Analyst: Uses design an evidence test to make a decision from evidence without overclaiming.
Video library
Watch: Design An Evidence Test
Positive Control vs Negative Control | Experimental Group
WInspire
Guided notes

Fill these in as you work through the lesson.

Big idea: Design a fair evidence test with a sample, positive control, negative control, and clear result rule.
Key terms: write the meaning
  • Positive control (known sample that should test positive):  
  • Negative control (known sample that should test negative):  
  • Result rule (how to decide positive or negative):  
  • Sample (unknown being tested):  
The rule

A good evidence test includes a   control, a negative control, the unknown  , and a clear result  .

Check yourself
  1. What should the positive control do? 
  2. What should the negative control do? 
  3. What color or signal counts as positive? 
Work one example

Design a test for glucose in an unknown drink using controls and a result rule.