Final answer:
The question is about establishing the reliability of a new measure for a construct by correlating its scores with those from an established measure. This is done through calculating the coefficient of correlation and examining scatter plots for significant linear trends. The data involved is often on a ratio scale, allowing for meaningful comparisons.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to the concept of correlation, which is used to determine if there is a significant linear relationship between two variables. Professionals use statistical tools like the coefficient of correlation, developed by Karl Pearson, to measure the strength of this relationship.
Reliability is also an important concept here; it refers to the consistency of a measure across different occasions. For example, if a new measurement tool for a construct is introduced, its scores should be related to those from an already established measure of the same construct to prove its reliability.
Conducting a correlation analysis involves calculating the correlation coefficient, which indicates how strongly two variables are related.
If the coefficient is significantly different from zero and the scatter plot shows a linear trend, then there is evidence of a significant relationship between the variables, allowing us to use the regression line to make predictions, such as predicting final exam scores from scores on a third exam.
Data measured using the ratio scale is particularly useful in this context, as it allows for meaningful calculations of differences and ratios between scores.