Performance in online courses. Florida State University information scientists assessed the impact of online courses on student performance (Educational Technology and Society, January 2005). Each in a sample of 24 graduate students enrolled in an online advanced Web application course was asked, ‘‘How many courses per semester (on average) do you take online?'' Each student's performance on weekly quizzes was also recorded. The information scientists found that the number of online courses and weekly quiz grade were negatively correlated at r = -.726.
(a) Give a practical interpretation of r.
(b) The researchers concluded that there is ‘‘significant negative correlation'' between the number of online courses and weekly quiz grade. Do you agree?