With due deference to The Associated Press, some “studies” are pretty transparent.

Specifically, the AP played up the newest edition of the Beacon Hill Institute’s Competitiveness Report, which again ranked Mississippi last among the 50 states as worthy of private sector investment.

Massachusetts was deemed the best place by BHI — which is at Suffolk University — which is in Boston — which is in Massachusetts.

As Gomer says, “Surprise, Surprise, Surprise!”

The “criteria” have been measured each year for eight years and more often than not Mississippi has been at the bottom with Alabama and Louisiana, while Massachusetts and other New England states have been deemed near idyllic. Imagine that.

There’s no denying Mississippi has problems and challenges. They’re outlined on this page day after day.

But there’s also no denying an increasing number of national and global companies are finding it a great place. We should be grateful these firms didn’t rely on “studies,” but learned for themselves that Mississippi offers lower taxes, reliable utilities, a clear set of corporate governance laws and environmental regulations, offers generous inducements and has leading universities and hospitals, reasonably priced labor, a labor pool with a strong work ethic and pretty good weather, too.

“The level of education of the people there … that seems to be a problem. Technology, you’re not a center for high-tech to say the least,” sniffed David G. Tuerck, BHI’s director.

Yes, well … we know about that. But we know how to do studies, too. Perhaps some scholars at Jackson State or the University of Southern Mississippi would like to research why companies are investing here and whether they are happy about their decisions. If they do, they might send a copy of their findings to Professor Tuerck — and one to The Associated Press.