Factorio Forums

It's difficult for a first timer to know what an item is useful for or how to use it. Some research topics unlock tutorials as they are finished, but this means committing to the research blind.

Place the tutorial information in the research menu. One option is to list the tutorial as one of the features of unlocking the topic. Another is to place the tutorial button right there with the topic.

You don't need to have the research to do the tutorials. You can play the tutorials at any time.
The research is simply suggested in connection with the tutorial, but not mandatory.

Edit: but some first-timers might not know this...