Welcome to BPNet and congrats on your first ball python. I used to have one...we now have 13! LOL

Best advice I can give you about researching is to start a sheet by the computer, write down husbandry, breeding, whatever info you find...then look for ways to verify it as sound advice. I did that when we first got into b.p.'s. Once I found three different sources for the same advice...I circled it in red and considered it sound wisdom to follow. Eventually I had a nice "cheat sheet" of information gathered from BPNet members, breeders websites, etc. and didn't fall for a lot of crapola online that would have ended up with us being confused and our snakes likely not doing very well.

A good spot to start is the caresheet here and then expand that knowledge as you go but it will give you the right husbandry information to set up your snake's home correctly. Can't wait to see pics!