51. An article in a sociology journal that deals with changes in religious beliefs over time states. "For these subjects. the difference in their responses on the scale of religiosity be- tween age 16 and the current survey was significant (P < .05)."

a) Explain what it means for the result to be "significant."

b) Explain why it would have been more informative if the authors provided the actual P-value rather than simply indicating that it is below 05. What other information might they have provided?

c) Presumably the statement refers to a population incan of difference scores between the current survey and age 16 Based on the authors' statement, what can you conclude about

d) Can you conclude that an important change in religiosity has occurred hetween age 16 and the time of the current survey? Why or why not?