What does the term 'sample group' refer to in research?

The term 'sample group' specifically refers to a subset of individuals who are selected to represent a larger population in research. This group is crucial because researchers often cannot study an entire population due to constraints like time and resources. By carefully selecting a sample group, researchers can gather data that can be generalized to the broader population, assuming the sample is representative. This allows for the exploration of hypotheses and the collection of insights that can reflect the characteristics, behaviors, or opinions of the larger population being studied.

In contrast, the other choices describe different concepts. The total number of participants in a study refers to sample size, but it does not define what a sample group is. Selecting individuals based on convenience might describe a sampling method but does not capture the essence of the representation aspect inherent in a sample group. Similarly, the general population being studied is broader and encompasses all individuals of interest, whereas the sample group is just a small part of that population intended to provide insights about it.