Applying the Results and Conclusion of the Research Process to Problems in Health Care Applying the Results and Conclusion of the Research Process to Problems in Health Care
Results
In the September 24th 2010 issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly the article,” Racial Differences by Gestational Age in Neonatal Deaths Attributable to Congenital Heart Defects” was published(Chen, 2010). The purpose of the study was to determine the racial differences in mortality and morbidity rates in infants born with congenital heart defects. This study used a quantitative methodology. The investigators collected data from death and birth records from the United States. The records were public documents and are available to anyone seeking the information. The investigators then compared the data collected from birth and death records to hospital records to determine any racial differences (Chen, 2010). This study is based on the death rates of infants of different races who are affected by congenital heart defects. The process the investigators collected the data was appropriate for this study and added to the information attained at participating hospitals.
The subjects in the study were protected by not disclosing any names. Most of the information collected by the investigators are public documents. However, the information obtained from hospitals is privileged information (Chen, 2010).
The data collection tool was used to back up the information obtained at hospitals, families, and death records. All the information supported each other only validating the results that much more.
Data Analysis and Procedures
The analysis of data in a study is important to inspect data to highlight an important aspect of the data. In this study the data from the death records were analyzed to determine the cause of death in the infants and then compared with data from the hospital regarding the gestation age of the infant (Chen, 2010). By comparing the variables the researchers were able to decipher the gestation age, death, and race the infant was at the time of death. This analyzed data was essential in finding the results for this study and appropriated.
The investigators were able to test the hypothesis by comparing variables and contrasting the data with the hypothesis. It was determined that the race did matter and there were some differences in gestational age at time of death compared to race (Chen, 2010).
In this study quantitative methodology was used almost exclusively as the data from death records was collected and compared to the data from the hospitals. However, in the final aspects of the study qualitative methodology was used to explain the information gathers as a result of the quantitative methodology (Chen, 2010). Quantitative methodology uses data to generalize information for a group or subject and is used to measure the variables of the subject. The subject of a quantitative methodology usually consists of a large number of individuals where the need to compare the variables becomes apparent. The way information is collected when using the quantitative methodology is done very formally such as a formal survey or collecting statistical data from public records. The data analysis is typically in the form of tabs or tabulations (Chen, 2010).
Qualitative methodology is used to understand motivations or to gain an understanding of the reasons behind a topic. It also uncovers trends in opinions and individual thoughts. The subjects are usually a small subset of a group or larger study. The data collected is unstructured and can consist of a group interview and the data analysis is not statistical (Chen, 2010).
Conclusion

In the September 24th 2010 issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly the article,” Racial Differences by Gestational Age in Neonatal Deaths Attributable to Congenital Heart Defects” the data pointed to some interesting variables among African American families and Caucasian Families regarding the gestational age and death rates (Chen, 2010). It was determined that there was very little difference in the death rate compared to racial differences. However, the gestational age did vary slightly with African American mothers than Caucasian mothers (Chen, 2010).
The strengths of this study are the information obtained by the investigators and the comparison of information from the death records with hospital records. Unfortunately, the weaknesses are great in this particular study (Chen, 2010). One weakness has a profound effect on the results of this study. Determining the cause of death can be very tricky in infants and often is inaccurately recorded. Due to these inaccuracies the study could be affected. There are also a number of congenital heart defects that are caused by other genetic disorders and are often not investigated at time of death. An example is Chromosomal defect 18 is a genetic disorder that has other defects associated with this disorder (Chen, 2010). The investigators made a point to leave out any subjects known to have other genetic ailments but many can be over looked at time of death (Chen, 2010). Due to the number of weaknesses in this study the results can be slightly questioned.
The findings supported by the hypothesis are determined in the data collected. The hypothesis was there may not be a drastic difference in infant gestational age and death of different races. The data and finding supported the hypothesis.

Reference
Chen, H. (September 24, 2010). Racial Differences by Gestational Age in Neonatal Deaths Attributed to Congenital Heart Defects. Mortality and Morbidity Weekly Report, 29(37), 1208-1211.