Which term describes the group defined by specific variables of interest in a study?

Which term describes the group defined by specific variables of interest in a study?

• A. Population
• B. Sample
• C. Census
• D. Parameter

Answer: (A)

The group defined by the variables you’re interested in is the population. In research, the population includes all units that have the characteristics or meet the criteria you want to study, across which you aim to draw conclusions. The variables of interest set the scope of who belongs to that population. The other terms describe different ideas. A sample is just a subset drawn from that population to study because surveying everyone isn’t feasible. A census would involve collecting data from every member of the population. A parameter is a numeric summary that describes a characteristic of the population (for example, the mean or proportion), not the group itself.

The group defined by the variables you’re interested in is the population. In research, the population includes all units that have the characteristics or meet the criteria you want to study, across which you aim to draw conclusions. The variables of interest set the scope of who belongs to that population.

The other terms describe different ideas. A sample is just a subset drawn from that population to study because surveying everyone isn’t feasible. A census would involve collecting data from every member of the population. A parameter is a numeric summary that describes a characteristic of the population (for example, the mean or proportion), not the group itself.