[dogscoff]

the trick is obviously to have more research centres than the enemy, and the trick to doing this ios to colonise like bacteria. BUild colonisers on repeat from the beginning of the game and grab every planet you can. Then set up spaceyard on your colonies and repeat build colonisers there as well. Shift population from your homeworld(s) to your colonies asap in order to get the population bonuses.

This strategy will give you the edge in research and resource production, and is the Way To Win.

Personally, I find it boring. I play Proportions instead, which focusses on developping a smaller number of colonies rather than obsessively spreading yourself across the galaxy like a rash.