UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

A ratio scale possesses all the properties of an interval scale—equal units and meaningful differences—but also includes a true zero point that indicates the absence of the measured attribute. This allows researchers to say that one score is twice or half another in a meaningful way, as in weight or height. Because of these features, ratio scales support the full range of mathematical operations. Thus, the scale described in the stem is correctly called the ratio scale.

Option A:
Ordinal scales allow ranking of cases but do not guarantee equal intervals between ranks, nor do they have a true zero. Numbers indicate order only, not the magnitude of differences, so ordinal scale does not match the properties described in the question.

Option B:
Nominal scales provide categorical labels without quantitative meaning or order and have no concept of interval or zero magnitude. They cannot support ratio statements like “twice as much.” Hence, nominal scale is not appropriate here.

Option C:
Interval scales do have equal units, enabling meaningful comparison of differences, but they lack a true zero point, as seen in Celsius temperature. This absence prevents meaningful ratio interpretations, so interval scale falls short of the description given in the stem.

Option D:
Ratio scales, by including a natural zero, make statements like “this object weighs twice as much as that one” legitimate, which is exactly the property highlighted in the question. This confirms ratio as the correct answer.