Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
University students refer specifically to individuals who are enrolled in higher education institutions and are pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees. They are often used as participants in research studies due to their accessibility.
Related terms
Convenience sampling: A method where researchers select participants who are easily accessible and readily available, like university students, which may limit the generalizability of findings.
The entire group of individuals that researchers want to study, such as all university students in a particular country.
Representative sample: A subset of the population that accurately reflects the characteristics and diversity of the larger group, ensuring more valid and generalizable results.