I taught this question will be appropriate to ask here. I am currently a software engineer working mainly on Java stuff , along with some android. My question : I want to be a researcher in "computer science" down the line 6 - 7 yrs, what do you folks suggest should be my path to reach it ? Constraints : I cannot cannot do formal MS or PHD , I simply cant afford it. I can dedicate certain amount of time per day to study and research.