In research methodology, the term "population" refers to what?

In research methodology, the term "population" specifically refers to the entire group that researchers are interested in studying. This encompasses all individuals or items that fit a certain criteria defined by the researcher for the purposes of the study. For example, if a researcher wants to study the impact of a new teaching method on high school students, the population would include all high school students in the relevant geographical area or school district.

This understanding is fundamental for effective research design, as it aids researchers in defining the scope of their study and ensures that the findings can be generalized to the broader population. When a population is clearly defined, researchers can then select a sample from it that ideally represents this population, which is crucial for the validity of the research.

The other options, while related to research methodology, do not accurately define what is meant by "population." The sample selected is a subset of the population, data collected are the results from the research, and variables are the characteristics that can be measured or controlled in the study, but none of these terms encompass the entire group of interest as the population does.