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Population

Definition

The entire group of individuals relevant to a particular research question.


Example

A researcher is interested in voting behaviors of people in a particular country. The population consists of every citizen of the country. A sample of this population is studied in order to make the research manageable.


Why It Matters

Understanding the population helps researchers define exactly who they’re trying to learn about. It gives the study a clear focus and helps ensure that results are meaningful. Without a well-defined population, it’s hard to know whether the findings actually apply to the people they’re meant to represent.