I think the author makes a valid point when it comes to debunked research. It is important to look into the validity of a study before utilizing it as the basis of an argument. As the author relays, there are so many popular studies that we commonly accept as fact because of their social success such as Malcolm Gladwell’s research in his book Outliers. However, we cannot become prisoners of someone’s success and allow that to trap us into thinking that everything is true.
Debunked research is important to address when working on our projects because it serves as a sort of counter-point to the argument we are trying to support. I don’t think you have to necessarily accept someone reporting another’s research as false, unless they are debunking it with facts. I do think though, it is important to consider why the argument you are supporting is wrong.