A company conducted a study concerning the time spent on extracurricular activities by students in grades 6,7 , and 8 and their level of school spirit. A total of 80 students were selected at random from all students in grades 6,7 , and 8 in a large school district in the US. The selected students were asked to report their level of school spirit as either low, medium, or high. The table summarizes the distribution of the selected students by grade.

If the results of the study suggest a relationship between the selfreported level of school spirit and the amount of time spent on extracurricular activities by students in grades 6,7 , and 8 , which of the following aspects of the study will prevent the results from being generalized to all students in grades 6,7 , and 8 in the US?