Shields, Patricia M.Couder, Richard2009-01-082012-02-242008-07Couder, R. (2008). Deciphering the lobbying occupation: A description on how to improve the professionalism of lobbying and the identification of the trade practices of Texas lobbyists. Masters of Public Administration, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas.https://hdl.handle.net/10877/3623An Applied Research Project Submitted to the Department of Political Science, Texas State University-San Marcos, in Partial Fulfillment for the Requirements for the Degree of Masters of Public Administration, Summer 2008.The purpose of this research is twofold. The first purpose of this project is to examine the occupation of lobbying and identify ways it can be improved through greater professionalism and stronger ethical standards. Second, three lobbyist trade practices are identified and their importance and effectiveness are examined. To further expand on this research, the perceptions of Texas lobbyists about ways to improve the lobbying profession and the importance of certain trade practices are solicited. This research used phone surveys conducted with thirty-five randomly selected registered Texas lobbyists. Participants were asked a series of sixteen questions ranging from ways to improve the lobbying profession to the importance of certain trade practices. The survey found that 100 % of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that acting in a professional manner aids their ability to be successful as a lobbyist. Another 74.3% of lobbyists also agreed or strongly agreed that there was a need to increase the professionalism of the lobbying occupation. Of the lobbyists surveyed, 82.9% agreed or strongly agreed that a formal education or training program for lobbyists would improve the professionalism of the occupation. Finally, 100% of all the respondents strongly agreed that maintaining personal ethical standards and utilizing legislative networking aided their ability to succeed as lobbyists.Text60 pages1 file (.pdf)enlobbyingTexas lobbyistscampaign contributionsprofessionalismethicsPublic AdministrationApplied Research Project