Firstly I don't know if the OP is talking about a new project that's entering the market or the project that have been in the market for long time. If it's a new project that's entering the market then I don't think technical analysis will work and also learning the about the project will also work, some projects are always very real with a good road map and white paper but at the end its always turn out to be a pump and dump coin.
The best coin you should invest in if you are planning to invest in any project for long term is bitcoin.