  We apply the vortex path model of critical currents to a comprehensive
analysis of contemporary data on defect-engineered superconductors, showing
that it provides a consistent and detailed interpretation of the experimental
data for a diverse range of materials. We address the question of whether
electron mass anisotropy plays a role of any consequence in determining the
form of this data and conclude that it does not. By abandoning this false
interpretation of the data, we are able to make significant progress in
understanding the real origin of the observed behavior. In particular, we are
able to explain a number of common features in the data including shoulders at
intermediate angles, a uniform response over a wide angular range and the
greater discrimination between individual defect populations at higher fields.
We also correct several misconceptions including the idea that a peak in the
angular dependence of the critical current is a necessary signature of strong
correlated pinning, and conversely that the existence of such a peak implies
the existence of correlated pinning aligned to the particular direction. The
consistency of the vortex path model with the principle of maximum entropy is
introduced.
