What is "sampling bias" in research?

Sampling bias refers to a situation in which the individuals selected for a study do not accurately represent the larger population from which they were drawn. When sampling bias occurs, it leads to findings that may not be applicable or generalizable to the wider population, ultimately producing skewed or misleading results.

For example, if a researcher conducts a study on the effectiveness of a medication but only includes participants from a specific demographic group, such as young adults, the results may not apply to older adults, children, or individuals with different health conditions. This misrepresentation can skew the overall conclusions of the research, making it crucial for researchers to strive for a representative sample to ensure reliable results.

The other options address different concepts related to research but do not accurately describe sampling bias. The dropout of participants involves issues of attrition, while intentional selection of specific demographics could indicate selection bias or targeted sampling but not necessarily sampling bias as defined in the question. Generalizing data from a small sample pertains to the risk of overextending findings, yet it does not directly capture the essence of sampling bias itself.