RateMyProfessors.com(Links to an external site.)(RMP) is a free web site that allows users to rate the quality of their professors a scale from 1 (worst) to 5 (best) for clarity and helpfulness. Users may also evaluate professors on easiness, rate their interest in the course, and provide written comments. In a study analyzing a group of marketing professors' RMP ratings, the following correlation coefficients for the average scores oneasiness, helpfulness,andclarityare found.

Avg Easiness

Avg Helpfulness

Avg Clarity

Avg Easiness

1

Avg Helpfulness

.41

1

Avg Clarity

.42

.85

1

Based on the correlation coefficients presented in the table above, respond to the following questions:

1.What does the correlation coefficients tell you about the relationships between the three variables? Provide a few short descriptions.

2.What causal relationship(s) is implied in the interpretation?

3.Based upon your own experiences with professors, what are other plausible explanations for the positive correlations between easiness and helpfulness and easiness and clarity?

4.Do you believe the data has proven a causal relationship between easiness, and helpfulness and easiness and clarity? Why or why not?