unrepräsentative

Unrepräsentative is an adjective used to describe something that does not accurately reflect or symbolize a larger group, population, or concept. It implies a lack of typicality or a deviation from what is considered standard or expected. When a sample is unrepräsentative, the conclusions drawn from it may be misleading or inaccurate because the sample does not share the characteristics of the whole. For example, a survey conducted only among university students would be unrepräsentative of the general population's opinions on a broad social issue. Similarly, a single incident might be unrepräsentative of a group's overall behavior if it is an outlier or an atypical occurrence. The term is often used in statistics and research to highlight potential biases or limitations in data collection and analysis. Being aware of unrepräsentative data is crucial for making sound judgments and avoiding generalizations that do not hold true. It suggests that what is being observed or considered is not typical and therefore should not be used as a basis for understanding the broader context from which it originates.