Non-population-based

This term describes a process, study, methodology, or data set that does not rely on or directly correlate with characteristics or parameters of a specific population. It indicates that the focus is elsewhere, such as on environmental factors, individual traits, technological systems, or non-living entities. It often implies a context where statistical inferences about a group of people are either irrelevant or not the primary objective, focusing instead on other aspects or scales of analysis. The characteristics of this approach may include experiments with non-human subjects, the examination of physical structures, or the study of abstract concepts independent of human demographics. It highlights an absence of, or lack of emphasis on, a population element.

Non-population-based meaning with examples

• A study analyzing the structural integrity of bridges after an earthquake is non-population-based. Its focus lies on engineering, material science, and physical forces, rather than the demographics or behavior of the population using those bridges. The data gathered concerns the building itself, its responses to stress, and potential failure points, with no direct link to population numbers, characteristics, or usage rates for statistical significance.
• Research investigating the impact of specific pollutants on plant growth in a controlled environment is non-population-based. The experiment controls for variables, and concentrates on understanding how chemical substances affect the biological processes of plant life. The results relate to ecological principles, rather than the size or properties of the human population, which is not considered in any form throughout the experiment’s execution.
• The development of a new artificial intelligence algorithm, tested using simulated data unrelated to human input, is non-population-based. The emphasis is on computational performance and logical structure instead of user interaction or population impact. The algorithm's efficiency and effectiveness are assessed using non-human benchmarks like processing speed, and memory usage.
• A historian's analysis of ancient artifacts and infrastructure, focusing on material composition and construction techniques, is non-population-based. Their attention is on how things were made, with little reference to the people or their culture as population. Understanding the methods employed by the ancient builders is the main focus, not the size or demographics of the population during that period.
• Consider a study exploring the atmospheric effects of a volcanic eruption. This study, using readings on the chemical composition of volcanic ash and related climate changes is, non-population-based. The analysis concentrates on geochemical processes and physical phenomena, disregarding human population factors. It does not consider things like population density in proximity to the volcanic eruption.