# Cecil's research methods

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecils-research-methods/239979>\
**Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\
**Created:** [April 14, 2004, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecils-research-methods/239979 "2004-04-14T15:32:19Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![SCSimmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e495f1/32.png) [@SCSimmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCSimmons)\
**Post date:** [April 14, 2004, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecils-research-methods/239979/1 "2004-04-14T15:32:19Z")

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In the classic [chocolate chip cookie column](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1_358.html) …

Notice how Cecil’s ordinary research methods (asking experts, researching major publications, etc.) were abandoned in this case in favor of a research method that left him with two trays of chocolate chip cookies.

Color _me_ surprised. 😉

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**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\
**Post date:** [April 14, 2004, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecils-research-methods/239979/2 "2004-04-14T16:43:43Z")

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Well, in certain instances, there is simply no substitute for first-hand empirical knowledge.

Oh, and you get cookies. 😉

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**Author:** ![Jojo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecd19e/32.png) [@Jojo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jojo)\
**Post date:** [April 14, 2004, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cecils-research-methods/239979/3 "2004-04-14T17:18:18Z")

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As far as I can recall, Cecil doesn’t do research since he knows all the answers anyway. But he does deign to present the evidence to us mortals in order to help us strive to be more like him.