A researcher selects a random sample of 200 students to determine whether there is a relationship between the number of days a student is absent and the student's grade point average. The
correlation coefficient, r, of the data is -0.765. On the basis of the correlation coefficient alone, can the
researcher conclude that an increase in the number of days a student is absent causes the student's
grades to drop ?
Yes, because the students in the sample were randomly selected.
No, because ris negative.
Yes, because ris very close to -1.
No, because other factors may have influenced the student grades.