I need assistance developing a research project that adheres to academic standards. The project should span approximately 8 to 10 pages and follow the standard academic format of double-spacing with Font 12.

The chosen topic is: "Examining the issue of disproportionate representation of minorities in the justice system in the State of Texas, myth and/or reality."

The project structure is outlined as follows:

Cover Page:

• Include the project title and authors' names as is customary for academic submissions.

Table of Contents:

• List all sections and subsections with corresponding page numbers for organizational clarity.

Abstract (Page 1):

• Provide a concise overview within 150 words.
• Cover the study's purpose, methodology, population, sampling, data sources, analysis, key findings, and implications or recommendations.

Research Question (Page 2):

• Clearly state the research question.
• Emphasize its importance and relevance, aligning it with the project's title.

Literature Review (Pages 3-4):

• Start broadly and narrow down to identify gaps or areas for exploration.
• Cite relevant studies, noting their findings, successes, and shortcomings.
• Propose new directions for the present study.
• Ensure citations are formatted according to academic standards.

Hypotheses (Page 5):

• Formulate hypotheses related to the research question.
• Represent testable relationships between variables.
• Connect hypotheses to the central focus of the study.

Method Section (Pages 6-7):

• Describe the population under investigation.
• Detail the sampling method, data collection procedures, and data sources.
• Utilize secondary data from agency records, following guidelines from Chapter 10 of the book "Basics of Research Methods for Criminal Justice and Criminology" by Maxfield and Babbie.

Statement of Compliance (Page 8):

• Address ethical considerations, especially concerning the protection of human subjects.
• Explain the rationale for not undergoing the Institutional Review Board (IRB) process if applicable.

Data Analysis Procedure (Page 9):

• Outline how the data will be input.
• Specify the software to be used (SPSS, SAS, Excel, etc.).
• Describe the chosen statistical procedures and their appropriateness according to the guidelines from the book.

Results Section (Page 10):

• Report the analysis results in narrative or tabular form.
• Provide an explanatory narrative linking results to the research question and hypotheses.

Discussion, Implications, Limitations, and Recommendations (Continuation of Page 10 and beyond):

• Interpret the results.
• Discuss the significance in relation to hypotheses.
• Compare findings with literature.
• Address implications, limitations, and provide recommendations for future research or societal actions.

References (New Page):

• List all sources in the required citation style (e.g., APA).
• Ensure accurate citations for the book "Basics of Research Methods for Criminal Justice and Criminology" by Maxfield and Babbie, and other relevant studies.

Finding Outside Sources:

• Search academic databases like PubMed, JSTOR, or your university library for relevant studies.
• Use keywords such as "racial disparities in criminal justice Texas" or "minority representation in Texas prisons."
• Ensure credibility of sources by checking peer-reviewed journals and reputable publishers.

References:

• Maxfield, M., & Babbie, E. (2016). Basics of Research Methods for Criminal Justice and Criminology (4th ed.). Belmont, CA: Cengage Learning. ISBN13: 978-1-305-26110-5.