How Do You Become An Independent Scholar?
While some institutional academics downplay the role that independent scholars play in scholarship and study, the truth is that independent scholars, sometimes referred to as “amateur” scholars, make significant contributions to the study of all fields. Unconstrained by tenure worries and academic expectations, independent scholars investigate academic issues freely and rigorously. Follow these steps to become an independent scholar. Step 1 Brush up on your scholarly background. You should study other scholars’ work in your area of interest, whether those scholars are institutional or independent. Studying the work of others will help you extrapolate methods and understand the level of proof and reference required for serious scholarship. Step 2 Pick your area and topic of study. Perhaps even more than institutional scholars, independent scholars pursue specific topics and projects devotedly. Find a topic that interests you. This may be an area that has been poorly served by the mainst