Research of various Civics works similar to Technology in previous Civ games, but each Civic has an "Inspiration!" objective / bonus. This bonus is a sort of Quest (such as "Meet another Civilization" or "Build a Quarry") which when completed, will award a research credit worth 50% of the 
Culture previously needed to unlock that Civic. You can get the Culture credit whether or not you are currently researching the civic in question.
- → See also: Eureka!