Final answer:
The correlation coefficient, r = -0.48, indicates a negative relationship between two variables.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correlation coefficient, r = -0.48, indicates a negative relationship between two variables. This means that as one variable increases, the other variable tends to decrease, and vice versa. The negative sign indicates that the relationship is in an opposite direction. Therefore, the correct answer is (b) Loosely clustered in a negative linear fashion.