What does the term "population" refer to in research?

The term "population" in research refers to the entire group of individuals that researchers are interested in studying. This encompasses all members of a defined group that shares specific characteristics relevant to the research question. For instance, if the study focuses on high school students in Australia, the population would include all high school students in the country. Understanding the population is crucial for generalizing the findings of a study, as researchers often aim to draw conclusions that apply to the broader group based on the data collected from a sample. The correct identification of the population ensures that the research findings are meaningful and applicable.

The other options describe different concepts. A subset of individuals selected for a study pertains to a sample, which is a smaller group taken from the population. Researchers conducting the study do not define the population itself; they are the individuals carrying out the research. Lastly, a type of sample is not synonymous with the broader concept of a population, as a sample is meant to represent the population but is not equal to it.