I can invent my very own imaginary country, for my Speculative Fiction works. That would be a whole lot of fun, especially, if I can research a couple real countries to base them upon. Yes, that would be a good idea, too. I will need to learn a whole lot about Geography, History, and even Anthropology and Sociology to do so. But, it can be done.
Besides, the other day, I thought of something. An introverted, yet gifted individual, who kept journals and diaries about his life, and asked a lot of seemingly stupid questions, would be a natural Anthropologist and/or Sociologist. The person would simply not call themselves that.