In The Sims 4's Discovery University expansion pack, Sims get to go to university and improve their skills and knowledge so they have an easier time climbing the corporate ladder. The main skill introduced in this pack is the Research and Debate Skill, which increases Sim's learning and persuasion abilities.

The Sims 4 discover university degrees
The Sims 4: Discover University All Degrees, Explained

University life is back in The Sims 4 with the Discover University Expansion Pack, and this guide covers the different degrees and how to earn them.

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This guide tells players what they need to know about the Research and Debate Skill so they can decide if learning it is worth their Sims' time while they're studying to get their degree in The Sims 4.

The Sims 4 Research and Debate Skill Overview

Research and Debate Skill Perks and Interactions

research machines the sims 4

The Research and Debate Skill can help Sims improve various aspects of their life, mainly their ability to apprehend information, knowledge, and skills. Here are the interactions and advantages that Sims will receive each time they level up their Research and Debate Skill in The Sims 4:

Research and Debate Skill Level

Unlocks

1

-

2
  • Reads books faster
  • Interactions:
    • Debate a topic with other Sims at a podium pair

3
  • Completes homework faster
  • Interactions:
    • Prepare for debate at the Research Archive Machine

  • Social interactions:
    • Convince other Sims to bathe
    • Convince other Sims to do a keg stand

4
  • Gains more progress while studying
  • Unlocks more research options at the Research Archive Machine

5
  • Improves ability to persuade
  • Can mentor other Sims in Research and Debate
  • Social interactions:
    • Convince other Sims to do homework for them
    • Convince other Sims to cook meals

6
  • Completes university presentations faster
  • Completes university term papers faster
  • Interactions:
    • Contribute knowledge on the Research Archive Machine

7
  • Social interactions:
    • ​​​​​​​Convince other Sims to clean
    • Convince roommates who want to leave the house to stay

8
  • Gains skills faster when reading Skill Books
  • Interactions:​​​​​​​
    • Write Research Papers at a computer
    • Publish Research Papers

9
  • Social interactions:
    • ​​​​​​​Convince other Sims to go streaking
    • Convince boss to give bonus over the phone

10
  • Interactions:
    • Debate a professional debate with other Sims on a podium pair
    • Give professional commentary at a podium or podium pair

How to Learn the Research and Debate Skill in The Sims 4

There are two ways to acquire the Research and Debate Skill in The Sims 4: players can use the Research Archive Machine to research topics or interact with a mirror or podium and select the Practice Debate interaction.

Sims learn the Research and Debate Skill faster if they are feeling focused.

Players must be careful if they choose to contribute knowledge using the Research Archive Machine. If a Sim becomes dazed from doing it too often and continues to contribute, they may die from overexertion.

Research and Debate Skill Cheat

If gamers want to fly through the Research and Debate Skill, they can cheat to quickly increase their Sim's current level. To do this, players must first enable cheats in The Sims 4, which they can do by opening the cheat console and inserting the code "testingcheats on". This makes it possible to take advantage of useful cheats, such as skill cheats, building cheats, and money cheats.

To cheat the Research and Debate Skill in The Sims 4, gamers must insert the following code into the cheat console: "stats.set_skill_level Major_ResearchDebate [X]". They have to replace the "[X]" with the number that corresponds to the skill level they want their Sim to acquire.

If players want to max out the Research and Debate Skill, they must write the code "stats.set_skill_level Major_ResearchDebate 10", but if they don't want to go that far, they can replace the number with whichever number they please.

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The Sims 4
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7 /10
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Released
September 2, 2014
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WHERE TO PLAY

SUBSCRIPTION
DIGITAL
PHYSICAL
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info

ESRB
T for Teen: Crude Humor, Sexual Themes, Violence
Developer(s)
Maxis
Publisher(s)
Electronic Arts
Engine
Proprietary Engine
Cross-Platform Play
Xbox, PlayStation, and computer versions of Sims 4 are all separate games incompatible with each other
Cross Save
no
Franchise
The Sims
Steam Deck Compatibility
yes
Genre(s)
Simulation
Platform(s)
PS4, Xbox One, PC
OpenCritic Rating
Fair
How Long To Beat
N/A
X|S Optimized
No
File Size Xbox Series
22 GB (November 2023)