Research

Research is the development of the technological edge of your empire. As you progress through the technology tree, better ships, better weapons, and more options for expanding the empire become available. Research is performed using research points, gathered to unlock the selected technology on the tree.

Strategies

 * Research is a long-term commitment. You can select a target goal and the game will automatically research the technologies, but you're almost always better off taking control of the tree yourself and selecting the techs individually.
 * Technologies unlock colony structures, colony projects, tech achievements, and colony combat elements. Each has a direct impact on the game.