This article is spot on. It is applicable not just to designers but to anything web-related in general that is not a hard science. I've seen these techniques

This article is spot on. It is applicable not just to designers but to anything web-related in general that is not a hard science. I've seen these techniques used most often in discussions of design and SEO. I am amazed at how many times I've heard from charlatans, "We have data that shows..." which is analogous to your "The research says..." Then when you ask for the non-existent data it turns into a "don't look behind the curtain" discussion straight from the Wizard of Oz. Don't let the angry designers commenting here make you think that your post isn't accurate. It is. I suspect a lot of people erroneously think you're talking about them merely because they've never had the displeasure of working with a true fraud who uses these techniques constantly.