4 powerful lessons students learned from conducting research

Research is about more than data—it’s a transformative experience. Each year, undergraduate and graduate students present their research at the College of Public Health’s Celebration of Student Scholarship. The event gives students the opportunity to discuss their research with peers and faculty.  

From redefining failure to building confidence and technical skills, student researchers shared how their research journeys shaped both their academic paths and personal growth. Here are four key lessons they learned along the way: 

1. Research is about people, not just data 

Research goes far beyond numbers and statistics, and it’s deeply connected to human experiences and social impact. 

“This research experience challenged me to think differently about what research is. At the beginning, I saw it primarily as data and statistics, but over time, I came to understand it as a tool for social change grounded in lived experiences and human stories. Taking on a leadership role in my research team pushed me outside of my comfort zone and helped me grow in confidence, communication, and collaboration. That experience strengthened both my academic and personal development in ways I did not anticipate.” — Victor Guzman, BSW ’26 and MSW student, about his research titled: Review of Long-Term Impacts of Youth Engagement Activities 

2. Failure isn’t a setback—it’s part of the process 

Setbacks are not only inevitable in research, but essential for discovery and improvement. 

“One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that failure is part of the process and often a necessary one. In research, analyses do not always work on the first, second, or even tenth attempt. You can spend weeks or months on an analysis only to realize that a step in the pipeline needs to be rethought or redesigned. At first, that can feel frustrating, but over time I’ve learned to see it differently. 

Every “failed” experiment reveals something previously unknown. It sharpens thinking, improves methods, and ultimately leads to stronger and more meaningful results.” — L. Priscille Ngana, PhD Health Services Research, Knowledge Discovery and Health Informatics student, about her research about Predicting Quality of Life Post Sepsis 

3. Not every answer is clear—and that’s okay 

Research often lives in uncertainty. Learning to recognize patterns, even without definitive answers, is a key scientific skill. 

“Scientific discovery often has a lot of grey areas. A clear answer or a statistically significant result may not always be found; however, it is incredibly important to observe trends and patterns in our findings to lead us in the future direction of study.” —  Anika Tahsin Siddiqui, Bachelor of Science in Biology, student about her research: A Pilot Investigation of the Difference between those with Clinical or Non-Clinical Fatigue on Physical and Mental Performance in Breast Cancer Survivors   

4. Skills grow with persistence and practice 

Research pushes students to develop new skills—and proves that expertise can be built over time with commitment and effort. 

“Time management is everything, and just because you don't know how to do something doesn't mean you can't learn and can't succeed. I have never claimed to be a statistician and my coding prior to this project was novice. Now I have reached a more advanced level of understanding statistical analysis while completing my own research.” —  G. Thomas Wilson II, BSPH, BA, and PhD Public Health, Social & Behavioral Sciences student commenting on his research: Engaged, but Skeptical: Caregiver Status and Trust in Information Sources      

Together, these reflections show that research is more than an academic task—it’s a journey of growth, resilience, and discovery that prepares students for both professional and personal success. 

 Considering student research? Read advice from current student researchers.