Your total income is always represented in the upper left hand corner of the primary game window. The more beakers you have, them more quickly you research technology. As a result, research income is generally referred to as beakers. In Civilization 5, as in Civilization games before it, research is represented by the beaker icon (a small beaker filled with blue fluid). Civilization 5 research is also obviously important if you wish to go after the research victory condition. A civilization that performs research quickly and effectively will always have an edge against a civilization that does not. Technology is a very important part of Civilization 5. The Complete Civilization 5 Guide: Research
