Which statistical technique is used to describe characteristics of a specific group or population?

Descriptive statistics is the correct choice as it focuses on summarizing and organizing data to characterize a specific group or population. This technique employs various metrics, such as mean, median, mode, and standard deviation, to provide a clear picture of the data's central tendencies and variability. By presenting data in a manageable format, such as graphs or charts, descriptive statistics aids in conveying essential features of the data at hand.

Inferential statistics, while also important in the realm of statistics, deals with drawing conclusions and making predictions about a larger population based on a sample of data. It uses methods to test hypotheses and derive estimates, rather than solely focusing on describing the sample.

Data mining involves analyzing large datasets to uncover patterns, trends, and relationships, often using advanced algorithms, and is not aimed specifically at simply describing a population.

Health informatics encompasses a broader field involving the integration of healthcare and information technology to improve patient outcomes, which does not focus solely on statistical methods for describing population characteristics.

Thus, the focus on summarizing and presenting data characteristics distinctly positions descriptive statistics as the appropriate answer for this question.