The research table is another item you will craft early on as it only takes 14 planks and 2 scrap and it is used to learn many recipes that are necessary for progression. However, getting the "Bookworm" achievement will take much longer as it requires you to research one of each component item in the game.
In order to research new items, you must research each of the components first. For example, before I can craft a smelter, which requires wood, dry bricks, scrap, and nails, I need to research each one of those items. Once each of those items has been researched, I can research the smelter recipe which will unlock it for crafting.
When you research an item, that item is consumed by the research table so if you are planning on crafting something that you haven't researched yet, make sure you have one extra of that item.