Which example best fits the definition of ratio level measures?

The choice identifying "number of times arrested" best aligns with the definition of ratio level measures because it possesses all the characteristics that define this measurement scale. Ratio level measures have a true zero point, allowing for the comparison of absolute differences between values. In this case, the number of times a person has been arrested can clearly have a value of zero (indicating no arrests) and can be meaningfully compared across individuals. For instance, saying that someone with five arrests has experienced more interactions with law enforcement than someone with one arrest conveys significant information about their respective situations.

Furthermore, ratio level data allows for meaningful mathematical operations, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. For example, one can interpret that if one individual has been arrested ten times and another three times, the former has had more than three times the number of arrests compared to the latter. This capability is fundamental in many statistical analyses within criminal justice research.

In contrast, other options do not embody the full attributes of ratio scales. While race/ethnicity and security levels in prisons can be categorized, they do not have a true zero point or a consistent ratio between their values. Temperature measurements, although they can appear to have ratios (such as degrees), also can present challenges regarding