Non-representative

The adjective 'non-representative' describes something or someone that does not accurately or proportionally reflect a larger group, population, or characteristic. It signifies a lack of adequate or true representation. This can apply to various contexts, including data samples, elected bodies, art, surveys, or a group's collective mindset. A non-representative entity can be biased, skewed, or incomplete in its portrayal of a broader whole, leading to potentially inaccurate conclusions or decisions. It implies a disparity between the observed or presented information and the actual situation it aims to represent. When considering a data set it may exclude certain types of data points or focus disproportionately on others, thereby creating a biased interpretation.

Non-representative meaning with examples

• The study used a non-representative sample of participants, mostly college students, making its conclusions unreliable for the general population. This skewed demographic, ignoring other age groups and social strata, undermined the research findings. The lack of diversity limited the scope of the results. Further investigation using representative data will be necessary for reliable conclusions.
• The artist's work, though visually striking, was considered non-representative of the diverse realities of the city's inhabitants. His focus on idealized imagery excluded the struggles and experiences of the city's marginalized communities. The lack of realism and a failure to reflect the breadth of experiences created an incomplete view, lacking depth and context.
• The local council was criticized for being non-representative, with the majority of its members coming from a single wealthy district. This geographic imbalance caused concerns from under-represented areas. The lack of proportional representation led to policies favoring the affluent, while the needs of other districts were downplayed, illustrating an unfair advantage.
• The survey's questions were designed in a way that created non-representative results. Leading questions, biased language, and a limited response range skewed the results in a predictable direction. Poorly designed questionnaires introduce bias, making data from the survey meaningless when trying to capture a broad range of opinions and perspectives.
• The non-representative nature of the committee caused significant controversy; its exclusion of key stakeholders hindered its ability to generate acceptable decisions. When a group's composition excludes the very voices it needs to serve, their decision-making ability will be reduced. This lack of inclusivity resulted in public dissatisfaction and loss of faith in the committee.