The start of 2025 has been an interesting one to say the least when it comes to research. New breakthroughs in Artificial Intelligence models are rapidly advancing our understanding of everything from ancient texts to protein structures. At the same time, they have complicated the publishing process by introducing a flood of junk to scientific journals. Turning to the federal level, years of biomedical research has culminated in the FDA approval of a new non-opioid pain medication. Developments like this are happening while major national pillars of our research structure face confusing directives amidst a clear priority shift in budget allocation. The degree of uncertainty researchers at the undergraduate level face today can feel overwhelming, but uncertainty is intrinsic to research across all disciplines. Whether that uncertainty is caused by human participants or dated lab equipment, it’s an aspect of research across the board. The unique large-scale uncertainties confronting researchers today can be faced using the same ways uncertainty is addressed during the research process.
The first step to dealing with uncertainty during research is accepting what you can’t control. Especially in research working with human participants, results are dependent on the continued participation of independent individuals who, for whatever reason, could stop engaging with the research at any time. Even in historical research, which would seem set in stone, there are times when key sources won’t be accessible and available ones will possess a dubious character. This is all to say that the research process demands flexibility, and it challenges us to become creative problem solvers in the face of the uncontrollable.
This creative problem solving is so critical, because it enables us to focus on what can be controlled in our research. This means seeking new sources, adapting our methods, and exploring diverse funding points. This also extends outside of the research itself. It means managing our time well enough, so that when we put on that research hat, we’re centered on that research instead of the thousands of other things that can pull our focus away.
Most importantly though, uncertainty can best be fought by reaching out to an adviser. Perhaps one of the greatest benefits about growing as a researcher at an institution like Princeton, is that there are so many people around us who are willing to step into mentorship roles. With any project, there are always going to be snags and hiccups, and when that happens, it’s always a good idea to reach out to those with more experience. Even though the challenges to researchers today at the macro level seem both daunting and unprecedented, advisers can still offer incredible guidance and wisdom about handling this new uncertain landscape.
The core challenge of research has always been working within the constraints of reality. This is true whether those constraints have been funding, or deadlines, or the accessibility of participants. Today, it can feel like these constraints are becoming tighter in a multitude of ways. Yet, by relying on the very skills we use to navigate the challenges of research, we just might navigate our way through the uncertainties of the day.
— Stanley Stoutamire Jr., Social Sciences Correspondent
