Final answer:
A small number of people used by researchers to represent an entire population is called a sample.
Step-by-step explanation:
A small number of people used by researchers to represent an entire population is called a sample. In a research study, it is often impractical and time-consuming to study an entire population, so researchers select a subset of individuals that can accurately represent the population. This smaller group, or sample, should ideally have similar characteristics as the larger population to ensure the findings can be generalized