Yes,k creativity gives you extra weapons or shields that are associated with a research item. Like the nano ripper. When you get extra research items when you research one item, it is the result of having alot of research points. These research points are not wasted on just one item, the extra flood over to the next item on the technology branch. A good example of this is when you research sensors after you have built a 10 research tiles. Chances are you will get sensors 2 and sensors 3 along all within that one week of research completion. Or any item that takes one week, you have a good chance of getting the next item in the branch in the same week.
Hope this helps
