I know this is probably a broad question, and what you research probably varies a great deal based on the game, 

But I just started playing recently, and I am enjoying the game a fair bit and I was wondering how research worked when your actually playing against real people, Assuming i'm not eco(because obviously then your investing a lot in eco)...

Do i put any points in improving resource extraction, or do I just ignore those options, do I want to get trade ports(assuming im tec) or should i be investing all my points in the military branch. In the military branch, should I be prioritizing my respective defense or offense...

Just small questions like these, 

I found a lot of detail from the community on what to build and how to play the game otherwise, but not very much on what I should be spending my money on(research wise)

Thanks a bunch guys,

Dubya