ABSTRACT

This table appeared in a press release from the Survey Center at the University of Wisconsin. What is the main point of the table? Why would the phrase “statistically significant” be used?

Same sex marriage, unions, and referendum

When asked about laws allowing same-sex couples to marry, 40% of the Wisconsin public said they support such laws. However, people are more likely to approve of civil unions than to approve of laws allowing people of the same sex to marry. Overall, close to 60% of the Wisconsin public approves of civil unions.

However there are differences by gender. Gender differences in support for same-sex marriage are statistically significant at conventional levels. https://www.niso.org/standards/z39-96/ns/oasis-exchange/table">

Approval, by gender

Men

Women

Approval of same-sex marriage

33.5

45.2

Approval of civil unions

55.8

61.5

Source: Badger Poll? 22, Release 3, University of Wisconsin Survey Center, July 17, 2006.