nonrepresentative
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective: - Not serving as a typical or characteristic example of a larger group; not accurately reflecting the whole. This word describes something that is not a fair or accurate sample or symbol of a broader category. It implies a lack of representativeness.
Usage
The adjective "nonrepresentative" is used to qualify nouns, indicating that the thing described does not accurately represent a larger population, group, or idea. It is often used in formal, academic, or analytical contexts. - It typically precedes the noun it modifies (e.g., a nonrepresentative sample). - It can follow a linking verb like "is" or "was" (e.g., The data is nonrepresentative).
Examples
- The survey's results were dismissed because it used a nonrepresentative sample of only urban teenagers.
- That single, extreme case is nonrepresentative of the typical patient's experience.
- Critics argued that the film presented a nonrepresentative view of the historical period.
Advanced Usage
- In Statistics/Social Science: A core technical term for data or samples that are biased or skewed, and therefore cannot be used to make reliable generalizations about a population.
- The poll was flawed due to its nonrepresentative sampling method.
- In Art/Discourse: Can describe artistic styles or narratives that deliberately avoid or subvert realistic portrayal or common narratives.
- The artist's nonrepresentative paintings focused on emotion rather than physical forms.
Variants and Related Words
- Unrepresentative (adjective): A more common synonym with identical meaning.
- The small focus group was unrepresentative of our entire customer base.
- Representative (adjective): The direct antonym, meaning typical of a class or group.
- Representativeness (noun): The quality of being representative.
Synonyms
- Atypical
- Uncharacteristic
- Unrepresentative
- Aberrant
Antonyms
- Representative
- Typical
- Characteristic
- Prototypical
Related Phrases/Concepts
- Selection bias: A systematic error that occurs when a nonrepresentative sample is selected.
- The study suffered from selection bias, leading to a nonrepresentative conclusion.
- Outlier: An individual data point that is nonrepresentative of the main group.
- Skewed sample: A sample that is nonrepresentative because it is not randomly selected or is biased.
Adjective
- not standing for something else