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

In research, the term "population" refers to the complete set of items or individuals that are of interest in a specific study. This population encompasses all possible subjects that a researcher wishes to draw conclusions about, ensuring that any findings can be generalized to the entire group. By defining a population, researchers can better design their studies, select appropriate samples, and apply statistical analysis to determine how their observations might reflect the broader context.

The other options, while related concepts, describe different aspects of study design or participant selection. A specific group of individuals is more aligned with the notion of a sample, which is a smaller subset selected from the population for practical research purposes. A subset of a larger group also refers to a sample, while the total number of participants pertains to the size of the sample included in the study rather than the definition of the population itself.