“The Research Says…”

Have you ever found yourself at a meeting or conference listening to a speaker who pauses dramatically and states in august tones, “Well, the research says…?” Everyone, including you, quickly puts pen to paper in anticipation of some significant pronouncement that will change school life forevermore. If we only had a nickel for each time an education hustler has used such a phrase! If only it were as significant a statement as it appears to be to the uninitiated. The only appropriate response that comes to mind in the midst of such confusion is, “What research?”