>Is it possible for a hacker to teach himself to do research?
I don't know a single good researcher who doesn't fit that description.
However, I do recommend some flavor of apprenticeship (1). A good mentor will suggest useful bones to search for, and act as a tour guide to stuff that already exists.
A comment like "did you know that in the 80's, $BIGNAME tried to do $X with $Y (not $Z), take a look" can save you LOTS of time.
(1) The useful part of the PhD is the apprenticeship to your advisor. If you can get the apprenticeship without the PhD, take it.
I don't know a single good researcher who doesn't fit that description.
However, I do recommend some flavor of apprenticeship (1). A good mentor will suggest useful bones to search for, and act as a tour guide to stuff that already exists.
A comment like "did you know that in the 80's, $BIGNAME tried to do $X with $Y (not $Z), take a look" can save you LOTS of time.
(1) The useful part of the PhD is the apprenticeship to your advisor. If you can get the apprenticeship without the PhD, take it.