A recent issue of "International Journal of Research & Methods in Education" (IJRME) contained a challenging article by Stephen Gorard ["The Dubious Benefits of Multi-Level Modelling," "International Journal of Research & Method in Education," Vol. 30 (2), p221-236 (2007)] in which he attacks aspects of current practice in statistical modelling, with particular focus on multilevel modelling (MLM). In this response, the authors believe there is much in his argument which is misleading or misconceived, both at a general and a detailed level, and this article explains where the difficulties arise. The authors start by a brief overview of some of the basic principles of statistical modelling. They then discuss MLM and some of the criticisms in general. Finally, they detail some of the mis-statements in the Gorard article.