What is a population in statistical terms?

In statistical terms, a population refers to the entire group of individuals or items that share a common characteristic. This group is the focus of a statistical study and can be large or small. For example, if a researcher is studying the average height of adult men in a country, the population would include all adult men living in that country. Understanding the population is crucial because it defines the scope of the study and informs the methodology used for data collection and analysis.