In the context of research, what does the term "population" refer to?

In research, the term "population" refers to the entire group being studied. This encompasses all individuals or items that meet specific criteria set by the researcher for a particular study. Understanding the population is critical because it defines the scope and context of the research, guiding how data will be collected and analyzed. By identifying the population, researchers can establish who or what they will analyze to draw conclusions or make inferences about broader trends or behaviors.

When researchers talk about sampling, they are typically selecting a smaller subset from this larger population to gather data more feasibly and efficiently. The sample should ideally reflect the characteristics of the population to ensure that findings can be generalized accurately. Therefore, the concept of populations is foundational to research design as it influences all subsequent phases, including sampling methods and results interpretation.