Research Methodology
Research Methodology
Embedded Files
Doula Services: Impact on the Maternal Health of Medicaid-Insured Black Mothers
Doula Services: Impact on the Maternal Health of Medicaid-Insured Black Mothers
This Public Policy Research Methodology course provided me with an introduction of the basics of research, with a focus on applied public policy. I learned how to frame quantitative and qualitative research questions, organize and analyze data, understand the IRB, apply statistical analysis to policy questions, and report and display results using STATA programming language. My research paper focused on data around maternal health disparity and some proposed Birth Justices-based solutions. Based on this data, I made policy recommendations to reduce maternal health disparities and improve outcomes.
There is a strong, well-documented link between income, race, and health disparities, including birth outcomes. Communities of color, particularly black communities, are affected disproportionately by this health disparity. Within the black community, black mothers are among the most vulnerable populations due to structural barriers . Doula services could be part of the solution. Doulas meet with families during pregnancy to discuss birth choices and labor coping strategies. During labor and delivery, doulas provide comfort measures, such as touch, massage, and movement and breathing techniques, which can lead to less medical interventions in birth, like c-sections. Given these benefits, this research paper explores the impact that doula services have on maternal health outcomes of Medicaid-insured Black mothers.
Stata Regression Analysis
Stata Regression Analysis
Understanding regression analysis was a significant part of this course. I gained the skills to understand how regressions are used to understand data. My analysis of data from the "Listening to Mothers in California Survey" showed that doula support was associated with about a 6% decrease in C-sections for low-income Black women.
STATA Coding file
STATA Coding file
I learned how to code in STATA, a statistical software for data science. I learned how to convert data files, upload them into STATA, and create code to extract pertinent information. I learned how to run regression analysis, the R2 , and the T-factor.
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