Various opinions surround the usefulness of research on women superintendents. An analysis of the benefits and the drawbacks of such research is presented here. The text opens with 10 reasons why such research is of use to women and men. The reasons include: women make up over 70 percent of the teaching ranks but only 7 percent of them occupy superintendent chairs; they support the evidence that women can succeed in the superintendency; they reinforce the evidence that women see, value, and know women as superintendents are important role models for other women aspiring to the position; the world differently as compared to men; they help people understand that women's different ways of seeing the world become more important as the job of superintendent undergoes significant changes; and such research helps to explain women administrators' career paths, gender specific expectations of the role, selection, retention, and potential to help change educational administration preparation programs. On the other hand, some men and women are offended by research that is female-specific. They may view such research as essentialist in nature; some women wishing to be superintendent may doubt themselves after comparing themselves to successful women superintendents; and such research is dominated by women. (Contains 53 references.) (RJM)