Hey Guys and gals, quick question. How can I, an unprofessional noob, research a topic on my own? To what extend can the free internet be useful and when do I have to switch to different sources and what sources should I use? For example: I want to know more about the social structure of the Ashanti people before the Europeans came along. How could I even find sources? I'm sorry if these are too much questions or if I broke a rule, be gentle :) Edit: Somehow, I cant read any answers. Whats going on?
Our Monday Methods slot has a lot of great resources for you and is a good place to start; I'd really recommend spending a few minutes scrolling down the topics listed there.
I especially suggest these threads:
The hunt for sources, with u/commiespaceinvader
How to read an academic book, with u/sunagainstgold
Online sources, with u/textandtrowel
Finding scholars whose work you should be following, with u/Commustar [pity this thread isn't a little longer]
Finally, to offer something specific, I set out the broad bones of my own start-from-scratch research technique as part of a longer thread a couple of years ago – the relevant couple of posts start here.