Does this plugin only lock the crafting of the workbench?

I'm confused by this statement: "Also optionally supports blocking research of locked workbenches so that players can't then replicate them via industrial crafters." When testing, the plugin doesn't seem to block any researching when this part of the config is set to true. I don't understand how what this does. 

If I'm misunderstanding that line, is it possible to make it so that the actual *researching* can be locked behind the timer as well?

For example, I'd like to be able to craft a T1/2/3 immediately, but not be able to research those particular tech trees until later in the wipe. It seems like my only option (with this plugin) is to disable those workbenches entirely .. 

It only blocks crafting and researching of workbenches themselves. The idea is that if players can't acquire a workbench, then they can't craft anything requiring that level of workbench.

If you want to control unlock or crafting of items then there are other plugins for that.

The research part is to avoid an exploit, in which players could use an industrial crafter to craft/replicate locked workbenches if they are somehow able to acquire one and try to create a blueprint via a research table.