Target Population

 

The target population in a study is the entire set of units for which the study data are to be used to make inferences (Cox, 2013). Defining the target population in any study is as important as identifying the study objectives.  According to Gall, Borg and Gall (2003), a target population provides a solid foundation and first step upon which to build the validity and reliability of the study. This population helps in determining whether sampled cases are eligible or ineligible for the study.

 

Example:

The following example is based on a study by Wanjohi (2010) on the sustainability issues facing community based projects in rural areas of Mbeere District in Kenya:

The study targeted four (4) Community Based Projects in Mburutani Area. These included Water Harvesting Project, Goat Rearing Project, Grain Mill Project and Community Micro-finance Project. All the members of these projects were targeted.  Each project had an estimated population of eighty (80) members. Thus in total, there were approximately three hundred and twenty (320) members of the projects who formed the target population of the survey. 

 


References

Cox, B.G. (2013). Target Population. Retrieved from http://srmo.sagepub.com/view/encyclopedia-of-survey-research-methods/n571.xml

 

Gall, M. D., Borg, W. R., & Gall, J. P. (2003).  Educational research: An introduction. (7th Ed.,).  White  Plains, New York: Longman.

 

Wanjohi, A.M. (2010). Sustainability issues facing community based projects in rural areas of Mbeere District in KenyaSaarbrücken, Germany: LAP LAMBERT Academic Publishing.