In order to apply indirect methods (such as scaling factors) to assess the radionuclide inventory of waste generated by nuclear power plants, it is essential to first evaluate the correlation coefficient between key radionuclides and those that are difficult to measure (DTM). The benchmark for the correlation coefficient (r) applied in indirect assessments is set at 0.6, and its significance can vary based on both its value and the size of the dataset. For instance, deriving a correlation coefficient using three data points versus utilizing a dataset with a hundred data points would yield different implications. This study addresses the variance in correlation coefficients based on data selection and presents a methodology for validating the significance of these coefficients. Additionally, we will discuss how these variances may impact the results of indirect assessments, such as scaling factor evaluations.