Here is my take on how a newbie should "do the research". Look stuff up on the internet. Go to several RV shows. Find out what RV companies have been in business for the longest and target their makes/models. Look around and purchase your first RV 2 - 4 years old (used) and hopefully from a private seller.
Opinions from public forums like this one reference what make/model is better, may not be a very good reference. We all mean well, but the truth of the matter is many of us have only owned one or two make/models. It would probably be impossible to find an experienced RVer that has owned 7 or 8 of the major brands within the past 10 years.