Texas Government Structure Analysis
Budget: $30 – $250 USD
I'm seeking a comprehensive research paper focusing on the structure of the Texas government, specifically the Texas Tracks.
Choose one of the Texas Tracks, and the specific identified problem/issue associated
with that Track, immediately below. The videos and/or articles linked in each of the Track descriptions
are intended as a starting point for you; however, these cannot be used as one of your eight required
sources as you construct your essay. There are plenty of good sources available for each of the
problems/issues posed. (If the links do not work, copy the URL and paste it into your browser)
Criminal Justice Track: fentanyl crisis in Texas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXBb5_XZycM
Education Track: COVID negative effects on public education in Texas.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wK_f-358bVI
Business Track: skilled labor shortage in Texas. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4C90WybZ52M
Health/Medicine Track: food deserts in Texas. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yO08hGA-kI
Science/Technology Track: fracking in Texas. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEaVr0LoYIo
I. Research Paper Objectives. Generally, your paper should be about a Texas problem or issue that affects
Texans, as more specifically described and explained below.
A. Explain/Describe the Problem. Clearly define the problem and demonstrate your knowledge of the
extent of that problem as it exists in Texas. Support your conclusions with relevant sources.
B. Those Affected by the Problem. Though the problem may affect many people in Texas, your task is to
focus on two cultures or people groups, specifically within Texas, that are affected by this problem. Do
not discuss more than two separate cultures/people groups. In this original essay (1) clearly identify and
distinguish between these two cultures/people groups by comparing and contrasting key features and
demographics then (2) compare and contrast how the problem/issue affects each of the two
cultures/people groups within Texas. (According to Cambridge Dictionary, culture is “the way of life,
especially the general customs and beliefs, of a particular group of people at a particular time.”)
Support your conclusions with relevant sources.
C. Interest Groups & Civic Engagement. Research and explain one way to support those affected by the
problem you have chosen nationwide (U.S.A.) and one way locally. More specifically, you should
identify one interest group which supports those affected by the problem nationally and one interest
group which supports those affected by the problem in Texas. You may not use the same interest
group for both the national and Texas focus. Do not confuse an interest group with government;
interest groups in the U.S. are private organizations that exist separate and apart from government.
Your explanation should include how these interest groups help those affected by the problem; give
specific examples. Your explanation should also include how you, personally, might be engaged and
involved with both of these interest groups to help the people they support; the involvement needs to
go beyond donations of money. Support your conclusions with relevant sources. Note: just copying
and pasting website information into your paper is not what you should be shooting for; rather, use
your own words and explanations. Keep it simple but cite your sources.
You may wish to peruse Unit 10 in your textbook to gain ideas of specific interest groups. Simple
internet searches such as “interest groups in Texas” or “interest groups in the United States” might be a
good starting point for you. Your Victoria College library services can be ultra-valuable for this paper.
Interest groups are also referred to frequently as “advocacy groups.”
II. Research Paper Parameters.
A. Due Date. Check your course calendar for the specific due date for your class. This paper must be
submitted through Canvas only. Microsoft Word format is strongly suggested. Technical-error issues
are often associated with formats other than Microsoft Word. As we near the due date, paper
submission access will be made available. Please refer to your syllabus regarding penalties for late
submission of your Research Paper.
B. Paper Length. Your paper should contain 1200 to 1500 words, not counting headings, notes, or
citations. The paper should be typewritten, double-spaced, standard 1-inch margins, 12-pt font utilizing
Times New Roman or similar font. Your paper should be based upon information from a minimum of
eight (8) published sources (no maximum). The videos/articles linked above and your textbook may be
cited; however, they do not count as one of the required eight sources. Wikipedia and X posts
(formerly “tweets”) do not count as published resources for this assignment. Tables and charts are not
required but are welcome; these do not count toward your word count. Reference pages do not count
toward your word count.
C. Citations. Anytime you borrow someone’s ideas, paraphrase or quote them, cite all sources using an
MLA citation format. Construct a bibliography (e.g., “work cited” or “End Notes” page) using an
MLA format. Your paper should be original and not taken from something you prepared for another
assignment and/or another course. A guideline here is 10 percent; more than 10 percent of this research
paper should not be taken from a work you previously created: this research paper must be prepared by
you specifically for this assignment. If you do use your own work as part of this paper, you must cite
your previous work, utilizing MLA formatting.
Modern Language Association—MLA Format—For more information on MLA formatting, consult
Victoria College support services or library staff. There is also a short video uploaded into your
Canvas course site about the basics of MLA formatting.
Ideal skills and experience for the job:
- Strong understanding and background in political science.
- Proven experience in academic research and writing.
- Familiarity with Texas government and its structure.
- Ability to present complex information in a clear and engaging manner.
Choose one of the Texas Tracks, and the specific identified problem/issue associated
with that Track, immediately below. The videos and/or articles linked in each of the Track descriptions
are intended as a starting point for you; however, these cannot be used as one of your eight required
sources as you construct your essay. There are plenty of good sources available for each of the
problems/issues posed. (If the links do not work, copy the URL and paste it into your browser)
Criminal Justice Track: fentanyl crisis in Texas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXBb5_XZycM
Education Track: COVID negative effects on public education in Texas.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wK_f-358bVI
Business Track: skilled labor shortage in Texas. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4C90WybZ52M
Health/Medicine Track: food deserts in Texas. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yO08hGA-kI
Science/Technology Track: fracking in Texas. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEaVr0LoYIo
I. Research Paper Objectives. Generally, your paper should be about a Texas problem or issue that affects
Texans, as more specifically described and explained below.
A. Explain/Describe the Problem. Clearly define the problem and demonstrate your knowledge of the
extent of that problem as it exists in Texas. Support your conclusions with relevant sources.
B. Those Affected by the Problem. Though the problem may affect many people in Texas, your task is to
focus on two cultures or people groups, specifically within Texas, that are affected by this problem. Do
not discuss more than two separate cultures/people groups. In this original essay (1) clearly identify and
distinguish between these two cultures/people groups by comparing and contrasting key features and
demographics then (2) compare and contrast how the problem/issue affects each of the two
cultures/people groups within Texas. (According to Cambridge Dictionary, culture is “the way of life,
especially the general customs and beliefs, of a particular group of people at a particular time.”)
Support your conclusions with relevant sources.
C. Interest Groups & Civic Engagement. Research and explain one way to support those affected by the
problem you have chosen nationwide (U.S.A.) and one way locally. More specifically, you should
identify one interest group which supports those affected by the problem nationally and one interest
group which supports those affected by the problem in Texas. You may not use the same interest
group for both the national and Texas focus. Do not confuse an interest group with government;
interest groups in the U.S. are private organizations that exist separate and apart from government.
Your explanation should include how these interest groups help those affected by the problem; give
specific examples. Your explanation should also include how you, personally, might be engaged and
involved with both of these interest groups to help the people they support; the involvement needs to
go beyond donations of money. Support your conclusions with relevant sources. Note: just copying
and pasting website information into your paper is not what you should be shooting for; rather, use
your own words and explanations. Keep it simple but cite your sources.
You may wish to peruse Unit 10 in your textbook to gain ideas of specific interest groups. Simple
internet searches such as “interest groups in Texas” or “interest groups in the United States” might be a
good starting point for you. Your Victoria College library services can be ultra-valuable for this paper.
Interest groups are also referred to frequently as “advocacy groups.”
II. Research Paper Parameters.
A. Due Date. Check your course calendar for the specific due date for your class. This paper must be
submitted through Canvas only. Microsoft Word format is strongly suggested. Technical-error issues
are often associated with formats other than Microsoft Word. As we near the due date, paper
submission access will be made available. Please refer to your syllabus regarding penalties for late
submission of your Research Paper.
B. Paper Length. Your paper should contain 1200 to 1500 words, not counting headings, notes, or
citations. The paper should be typewritten, double-spaced, standard 1-inch margins, 12-pt font utilizing
Times New Roman or similar font. Your paper should be based upon information from a minimum of
eight (8) published sources (no maximum). The videos/articles linked above and your textbook may be
cited; however, they do not count as one of the required eight sources. Wikipedia and X posts
(formerly “tweets”) do not count as published resources for this assignment. Tables and charts are not
required but are welcome; these do not count toward your word count. Reference pages do not count
toward your word count.
C. Citations. Anytime you borrow someone’s ideas, paraphrase or quote them, cite all sources using an
MLA citation format. Construct a bibliography (e.g., “work cited” or “End Notes” page) using an
MLA format. Your paper should be original and not taken from something you prepared for another
assignment and/or another course. A guideline here is 10 percent; more than 10 percent of this research
paper should not be taken from a work you previously created: this research paper must be prepared by
you specifically for this assignment. If you do use your own work as part of this paper, you must cite
your previous work, utilizing MLA formatting.
Modern Language Association—MLA Format—For more information on MLA formatting, consult
Victoria College support services or library staff. There is also a short video uploaded into your
Canvas course site about the basics of MLA formatting.
Ideal skills and experience for the job:
- Strong understanding and background in political science.
- Proven experience in academic research and writing.
- Familiarity with Texas government and its structure.
- Ability to present complex information in a clear and engaging manner.