An article in a sociology journal that deals with changes in religious beliefs over time states, “For these subjects, the difference in their mean responses on the scale of religiosity between age 16 and the current survey was significant (P < 0.05).”

(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 merely indicating that it is below 0.05.

What other information might they have provided?