Green Research Points come from requests, monster studies, capturing eligible monsters, and melding materials. The Meld menu converts gathered resources; its weekly allowance increases with Ecological Rank.
Green points pay for meals, Research Points Shop items, some crafting, and map time or weather changes.
Yellow Research Points come from Research Level increases and Proof of Mastery objectives. Each Research Level grants one Yellow Research Point.
Spend Yellow points on Build, Glider, Survival, and Gathering research. Research EXP comes from field exploration and exchanges at the Felyne Trade Guild.