[jsuar]

This has been my experience while taking masters courses, but I assumed it was because it's important to learn about all the available tools and techniques. Has there been no research on methodologies that aid in discovering insights?

It reminds me of the difficulties in teaching someone how to prove statements in math. The basic approach is to learn as many techniques as possible (tools in your tool bag), review existing proofs, and practice. You really can't teach someone how to find the connections and insights that lead to a proof. I was once told that was the art/creativity in proofs.