I conduct a study on a urban type river by using benthic macroinvertebrate as an indicator, along with that I also conduct water quality analysis for determining the river health base on physical-chemical parameter. So, what would be my negative control?
Yup. But it still questionable. The only stuff can be used is using water quality index to support biological data. Btw why i said it is questionable as the defination of control wont suit the natural river.
Nice question dear Akmal, while doing bio-monitoring study first we have to identify a reference point, pollution intrusion points, human activity zones, industrial activity areas, domestic zones, agricultural and allied activity areas, etc before commencing the work. reference point should be without any human disturbance, pristine,
best wishes
I think the upstream area (waterfall) if any though it is hard to find a pristine river in urban setting now, but the results can further be compared at the end of study.
Are there available data sets for streams in your area? This could give you a picture for what is typical in your region. From there you could do something as easy as a 1-sample t test asking if your stream differs from the population of streams in your area. If there's a good data source you could ask if your stream falls in with the typical urban streams or is closer to the more protected streams.
It is not always necessary for you to provide the control if somebody else has generated data you can access.
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